.png)
In a letter sent to the Pro-Vicar of Guapi, Father Arnulfo Moreno Quiñonez, to all the members of that particular Church and to the community of the municipality of Guapi, the bishops expressed their solidarity, deep concern and rejection of the serious attack committed against the population and the public force in the early hours of Saturday, November 2, in that territory of the Cauca Pacific. An incident that left people dead, others injured and several structures damaged, including the Episcopal House and Curia.
In the message, the Colombian Episcopate, through its Presidential Community, stated that these types of events, which cause panic and desolation in communities, are evidence of the increase in violence in the country. Faced with this worrying reality, they urgently call on armed actors to abandon the path of terror and opt for dialogue; they ask the Government to make its presence felt by guaranteeing integral human development, security and the right to peace.
In addition, the bishops have asked the National Secretariat for Social Pastoral Care – Caritas Colombia (SNPS-CC) to immediately activate the Emergency Fund to support the community.
The Bishops wrote:
We have learned, with pain and dismay, this morning the news of the attack against the civilian population and law enforcement forces in the municipal seat of Guapi, which has left some wounded and material damage to various buildings, including the Episcopal House and Curia, places where the Church has historically encouraged dialogue and reconciliation, and where the population goes in search of comfort and relief. To the Particular Church of the Apostolic Vicariate of Guapi and to the entire community in general, we express our deepest solidarity and support in this time of trial in the face of the advances of violence. We have asked the National Secretariat of Social Pastoral Care – Caritas Colombia (SNPS-CC) to immediately activate the Emergency Fund and to accompany you closely and actively. Furthermore, the Apostolic Nunciature, the Metropolitan Archbishops of Popayán and Cali (Pacific Region), and the Colombian Episcopate, will be attentive to listen to the needs that we can address and resolve with creative courage, supported by prayer and moved by the hope that evil can be overcome by good (Cf. Rom 12, 21).
We strongly reject the criminal actions of those who try to generate panic and desolation, affecting the tranquility of the populations and destabilizing the social order. We call on them to abandon the path of terror and bet on dialogue, which is the only path that will lead us to peace.
The Church in our country remains committed to the search for paths to reconciliation. Saint Paul VI used to say that “if we want peace, we must work for justice.” We call on the institutions of the Colombian State, especially the National Government, to continue to make a transformative presence in the regions through the different actions within their reach, so that integral human development is generated, security is provided to the civilian population, and the right to peace that we should all enjoy is defended. We assure you of our closeness and prayer, and we entrust you to Our Lady of Hope, who encourages us not to falter in the face of adversity. Original Signed
+Francisco Javier Múnera Correa, IMC
Archbishop of Cartagena
President of the Episcopal Conference
+Gabriel Ángel Villa Vahos
Archbishop of Tunja
Vice President of the Episcopal Conference
+Germán Medina Acosta
Bishop of Engativá
Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference
Comments