Colombian Church will not abandon armed conflict victims

The Apostolic Nuncio to Colombia said the Church would continue to stay in the province of Cauca to help those displaced by the armed conflict between rebel groups and the military.

“The Church is there and is not leaving, and we will remain there with our people, some of whom are okay and others who have had to flee,” Archbishop Aldo Cavalli said July 17.

“The Church will only leave if the people do.”

In recent days armed confrontations between the rebel group FARC and the Colombian army have displaced more than 2,800 inhabitants of the region, including many indigenous communities.

Indigenous leaders set a deadline for both the FARC and the army to leave the area. Otherwise, they promised to force them out.

According to Caracol Radio, the nuncio said priests would continue to carry out their ministries in the region, despite the difficult living conditions. He called on residents in Cauca to continue praying and working for reconciliation and agreements.