Terrorist Attacks in Colombia Condemned by Bishops for Ravaging the Nation
In the troubled landscape of Colombia, a series of terrorist attacks have shaken the nation, leaving at least 18 lives lost and over 40 people injured. The attacks, attributed to dissident factions of the former FARC guerrilla group, have sparked widespread condemnation and calls for peace from various quarters.
The Colombian Bishops' Conference, in a show of solidarity, condemned the attacks and extended their condolences to the families of the victims. They urged Colombian faithful to entrust the current difficult situation to the intercession of Mary, Queen of Peace. Pope Leo XIV, in a statement, asked the Lord to grant peace and justice and to dry the tears of those who suffer because of the ongoing armed conflicts.
Archbishop Luis Fernando Rodríguez Velásquez of Cali, where one of the attacks occurred, stated that the country once again felt the sound of bomb explosions taking human lives. He celebrated a noon Mass for peace at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle on Aug. 22 and implored people to "implore the peace of the Risen Lord" in all the parishes of his archdiocese.
President Gustavo Petro has identified the National Liberation Army (ELN) as responsible for the terror attacks. In response, he called for intensified security and comprehensive care for the civilian population. The archbishop of Cali also demanded justice for the terrorist attacks, emphasizing that impunity should not be common.
A candlelit vigil was held in Cali on Aug. 24 in honor of the victims of a cargo vehicle bomb attack. Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV called for a worldwide day of fasting and prayer on Aug. 22, appealing to all parties involved in the conflict to abandon the path of death and walk the path of respect for life.
Tragically, these attacks are not an isolated incident in Colombia. Kidnappings of priests and religious individuals are not uncommon, and a National Police Black Hawk UH-60 helicopter was shot down during a coca leaf crop eradication operation, leaving 12 officers dead.
The Colombian Bishops' Conference, in their quest for peace, have asked for solutions that will make it possible to rekindle hope through the paths of forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace. As the nation grapples with the aftermath of these attacks, the call for peace resonates louder than ever.
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