AMERICA/COLOMBIA - Archbishop Rueda Aparicio: violence and corruption must be stopped

Thursday, 22 August 2019 human rights violence human promotion peace corruption

Radiomacondo

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Cauca (Agenzia Fides) - "Those responsible for these murders use weapons against helpless people, plan crimes, but even more, pay to kill and wash their hands with hypocrisy. In the name of God's mercy, we ask those who threaten and kill: stop killing, respect human life, do not become accomplices of the culture of death". This is the heartfelt appeal launched, in the face of the violence that continues to torment the region of Cauca, by the Archbishop of Popayán, Mgr. Luis José Rueda Aparicio. The Archbishop raised his voice of denunciation and rejection, stigmatizing the constant threats and murders of indigenous people, peasants and social leaders.
In a message, sent to Agenzia Fides, the Archbishop warned that "drug trafficking exposes families to becoming slaves of an economy of death", noting "the risk that young people and children run for drug use.
The Archbishop adds: "We reject the use of glyphosate for the eradication of illicit crop fields, because we know that it is a chemical intervention, which causes damage to the soil and is a proven threat to human health".
The message also refers to the issue of corruption at a political and economic level, noting that "this scourge affects the poorest". "Whoever wishes to govern desires something good, but to govern is first of all to serve the integral development of people and peoples. Being citizens requires acceptance with respect to those who think differently and exercising politics without being corrupt. Those who are not corrupt are actually at the service of human life".
Finally, the Archbishop encourages all men and women to examine the responsibility that each person has within society: "It is necessary for solidarity to overcome indifference. The way out of this crisis of humanity requires everyone to contribute with their own wisdom, their spirituality, experience, tenderness and leadership". (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 22/8/2019)