AMERICA/COLOMBIA - “If we save the family we are rebuilding humanity” in his Holy Week Message Bishops’ Conference president says life, family and peace must be protected

Tuesday, 27 March 2007

Bogota (Fides Service) - The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Colombia Archbishop Luis Augusto Castro Quiroga of the diocese of Tunja has called for more protection for life, the family and peace. In a Holy Week message entitled "Season of grace, reconciliation and peace” the Archbishop encourages reflection on the situation and sincere conversion and solemn commitment.
Recalling that all life is a gift of God the Archbishop denounces ongoing murders, kidnapping, violence, drug trafficking, dishonesty and promotion of abortion: signs of moral degradation and loss of human values indispensable for the survival of society. He says that on the Cross Jesus Christ presents himself as Lord of life and calls all to opt for life to the full. The Archbishop calls on the government and congress "to institutionalise with a special law the Day of the Unborn Child, 25 March, a sign of serious commitment for life from the moment of conception. He stresses the need to guarantee quality of life, eradicating poverty, injustice and inequality.
With regard to the family Archbishop Castro Quiroga says faith and human and cultural values are handed on first of all in the family and he stresses the need to heal the intimate family life of love, self-giving, responsibility and to reject all temptation, also legislative, to divide the family, establish other concepts which undermine the fundamental experience of a community of life and love among a man and woman. "if we save our families we are rebuilding humanity" he affirms.
"Colombia is living a process of purification, sincere search for the truth with regard to past events which darkened the panorama of national life. This is an opportunity the Archbishop said to "make good past errors and start a proves of restoring public morals in local, regional and national institutions ". In this sense, "the message of the Church is always reconciliation, forgiveness, reunion, dialogue and healthy coexistence". To restore peace it is necessary to respect the dignity of every human person and reach peaceful solutions for conflicts, beginning with conflict in the family. The Archbishop concludes calling the people to pray hard to sustain "efforts to reach a cessation of hostilities, disarmament and peace ". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 27/3/2007; righe 33, parole 465)


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