AMERICA/COLOMBIA - Day of prayer "for the reconciliation of the Colombian people, justice and fraternal solidarity"

Friday, 7 May 2021 violence   social situation   politics   episcopal conferences  

celam

Bogota (Agenzia Fides) - The Colombian Church has convened a day of prayer for today, Friday May 7, in order to "ask for the reconciliation of the Colombian people, justice and fraternal solidarity". The Latin American Church will join this event, as expressed by CELAM and several Latin American Episcopal Conferences. "We make our own the pain of the Colombian people, who have made so many efforts to achieve reconciliation and national peace", wrote the Bishops of CELAM and of the Latin American countries, recalling the words of Pope Francis during his visit to Colombia in 2017: "Any violence against a human being is a wound in the flesh of humanity ". "We resolutely reject, whatever their origin, violations of human rights, acts of vandalism, blockades of mobility and food supply, disappearance of people, attacks on the physical integrity of any person, damage caused to public and private property": this is how the Colombian Episcopal Conference expressed itself regarding what happened in the last days in the country. The Episcopate reiterates that "violence, vandalism, attacks, abuse of force and social chaos do not solve anything, but only lead to suffering and death, especially to the poorest, in addition to delegitimizing and questioning any social protest" . In this context, the Bishops have launched a strong appeal to immediately stop these acts of violence and death: "It is time to undertake together the task of generating a model of global human development". Faced with the "spiral of violence and the circle of death that is being promoted", writes CELAM in a letter sent to the CEC, also sent to Fides, it must be recognized that most citizens have made use of peaceful protest as a "valid alternative to obtain a response to social needs and demands". "If a people protest and take to the streets in the midst of a pandemic, it means that their government is more dangerous than a virus": this slogan summarizes the thinking of millions of Colombians these days. On April 28, strong mobilizations began against the tax reform project presented by the government of Iván Duque. Mobilizations that have rapidly spread throughout the country, with massive demonstrations, strikes and violent clashes. Bogota and Cali continue to be the scene of the protests, to which the government has responded with extreme harshness: at least 24 dead, according to the Colombian Ombudsman's Office. Eighty-nine people disappeared and more than 800 were injured. Violence and brutality have also been condemned by the UN, the EU and numerous non-governmental organizations, which denounce the disproportionate use of force by the Colombian police and army (See Fides, 4/5/2021). Defense Minister Diego Molano justified his way of acting because the militarization of the cities serves to address what he called the "criminal organizations" that orchestrate the riots. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 7/5/2021)


Share: