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THE CHURCH: CONSTANT VICTIM OF THE ARMED CONFLICT IN COLOMBIA

Recent events against the Catholic Church

Between 15 and 19 August this year, three priests were murdered in different parts of the country. The first of these murders was committed by the ELN, who killed Jesús Emilio Mora and Vicente Rozo by shooting them as they travelled the Teorama - Convención road. Two civilians were also killed in this attack, José Carrascal Carrascal and Edgar Vergel.

Father Vicente Rozo Bayona, aged 49, was parish priest in San José, while Father Emilio Mora, who was 60, held the same post in Monte de Carmelo. These were the only two parishes in the region.

The ELN accepted responsibility for the murders, and in an official communiqué it apologised to the relatives of the victims, saying that it 'deeply regretted the accidental deaths of the priests'. It went on to say that it has never viewed the Catholic Church as a military target, as it hoped to find routes towards peace in the country through the Church.

It is worth asking ourselves whether the church really is not just one more military target for this guerrilla group, after seeing how it has murdered and kidnapped church members, such as Bishop Jesús Emilio Jaramillo, who was kidnapped and murdered by this group near the Venezuelan border.

In Tolima province, meanwhile, the FARC murdered Father Jesús Adrián Sánchez in the town of Chaparral. He was forced out of his classroom at Camacho Angarita schoolhouse and shot in front of his students. The priest was known in the region for his constant efforts to prevent youngsters being recruited into guerrilla groups, and instead to give them the chance to receive an education in the schools.

Finally……

There is nothing at all unusual in what we have said in this article, as far as the thousands of Colombians are concerned. They must look on every day as men and women committed to peace and development are considered military targets by terrorist organisations, simply because they have interfered in those organisations' activities and have denounced the atrocities they perpetrate against the Colombian people to the world at large.

We aim through this article to ensure that the voices of men and women who have been the victims of violence in Colombia do not go unheard. And we want to show the direct threat that illegal armed groups are to religious organisations intent on achieving peace in the different regions.

"Our message is to let all kidnap victims know that we are with them. We want them to be sure that we will go on fighting to eliminate this scourge that has deprived them of the joy of living in freedom. We also invite them not lose hope. The Christian community is praying that they will be released soon, following the example of the first community, where 'Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer of the church unto God for him was incessant' (Acts, 12.5).

Cardinal Pedro Rubiano Sáenz
Archbishop of Bogotá
Chairman of the Episcopal Conference
Fabián Marulanda López
General Secretary, Episcopacy