Report on the deteriorating situation in Columbia

The latest letter of the Provincial (23 August 2002) describes the painful reality of Colombia: “The attacks during the inauguration of the president have consequences that go beyond the fact that 21 poor people lost their lives. As the rebels continue to threaten the mayors, the municipalities are left in a state of uncertainty and now community projects are halted as the cultivation of drugs takes precedence.

The kidnappings have become generalized and are no longer acts against the rich but rather now involve the middle class. Indeed, the war has been urbanized. The paramilitary groups have seen their power reduced while civilians, often the victims of common criminals, are terrorized.

This reality has led to a situation where the most serious news of the days is broadcast over the radio at two o’clock in the morning. There are innumerable displaced persons and emigrants. The irresponsibility and corruption of government officials during the past 50 years is rapidly closing the door on the future of our children and grandchildren.

What has been the role of the Church and the Congregation in this ‘Valley of Tears’? Some prophets continue to offer their lives and others have their lives threatened and in every instance, attempts are made to silence their voices. These difficulties involve us in suffering and expending out energies in ways that we would prefer to use on behalf of the poor.

These realities, however, reveal to us that the province cannot distance itself from the suffering of the people. Therefore we accept this suffering without losing hope that comes from our faith, for we believe that all of this contributes to our well-being.” In fact, the province has suffered directly as a result of this situation: one of our houses of formation and one of our small farms have been robbed. But even more serious are the threats that have been made to the lives of our two bishop confreres.

Courtesy of NUNTIA of the Congregation of the Mission.