AMERICA/COLOMBIA - Consolata missionaries: "Support the efforts of indigenous communities to react to the condition of abandonment and degradation"

Cartago (Agenzia Fides) - "For some time the entire territory of the diocese of Cartago has been experiencing a very problematic social situation characterized by degradation and insecurity. Its causes are to be found, on the one hand, in the projects of national and international companies - oriented towards the creation of a large port in the Pacific Ocean - and in the presence of drug trafficking. The situation is also aggravated by the presence of illegal armed groups. There are also numerous episodes of common crime". This was reported to Fides by Father Carlos Alberto Zuluaga, a Consolata missionary, when speaking of the missionary commitment in Colombia and the challenges faced by religious daily. The diocese of Cartago is located in the Amazon rainforest, in the Colombian department of Valle del Cauca, about 200 kilometers north of the capital, Bogota. The territory covers an area of 4,500 square kilometers and has 59 parishes. It has a population of 417,000 inhabitants and is characterized by the presence of indigenous peoples and a remarkable biodiversity. "It is one of the most tormented areas both by the long conflict between the army, FARC and paramilitaries and by drug trafficking" - says Father Carlos - "years of guerrilla warfare, deforestation and uncontrolled exploitation of subsoil resources have created a context, both social and natural , worn out and torn where it is necessary to gradually reintroduce trust, planning and the idea of care both in relationships between people and in those with the environment". Since 2005, the missionaries have accompanied the indigenous population of the Embera Chami with an evangelical work of human promotion: "Pastoral work includes the formation of leaders in order to strengthen their capacity to guide, organize and support the efforts of the community to react to the condition of abandonment and degradation. The environmental training is part of a broader program that also includes training on human rights, crafts crafts and cultural identity", he explains. In this area, the Consolata missionaries are carrying out some projects: "The formation for peace in the Colombian Amazon through the pedagogy of care - explains Father Zuluaga - aims at identifying situations of conflict or violence and at the training of young people in listening, dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
We are also working to strengthen the community radio service, in order to reach even the most remote and isolated communities to provide information on health and education services, about ongoing public utility initiatives". Health awareness is an initiative that was launched last year and is now entering its second phase: "Under the guidance of a nutritionist and an expert in traditional medicine - underlines Father Carlos - the project aims to educate, for example, in the correct use of water and how to purify it. We then plan to deepen health issues that were introduced in the first phase and develop shared solutions to public health problems with communities.
Finally, we continue to support the work of our missionaries with the Emberà Chami population. Organizational formation and a dignified life for these communities - he concludes - bearers of historical wounds and victims of the armed conflict in Colombia is part of the initiatives aimed at creating awareness and knowledge of their own history, culture and wealth". (ES) (Agenzia Fides, 30/4/2021)

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