Bogotá, Colombia, Aug 3, 2010 / 09:50 am
Newly appointed Coadjutor Archbishop Dario de Jesus Monsalve of Cali, Colombia responded to a proposal by the leader of FARC, Alonso Cano, to begin talks with the government. The prelate said that if the rebel group desires to make a proposal for peace, the door will always be open.
According to RCN Radio, the archbishop said that Colombia will be truly independent on the day it is free of violence and when national reconciliation can be fulfilled.
During the ceremony welcoming the archbishop to the archdiocese, he expressed his commitment to collaborate in reducing violence in Cali, which shares Colombia's highest crime rate with the city of Medellin.
He also said he is looking forward to celebrating the Archdiocese of Cali’s 100th anniversary on September 11.