Jun 21, 2004 / 22:00 pm
A story by Associated Press reporter Kim Housego is revealing the danger that hundreds of priests in Colombia face on a daily basis in their mission to bring peace to the troubled country.
As the bishops of Colombia are currently making their Ad limina visit to the Vatican, during which Pope John Paul II has delivered a moving message to Colombia, Housego underscored that, “Priests already are playing key roles in a nascent peace process between the government and a right-wing militia, the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia. They also are promoting dialogue between the government and the leftist National Liberation Army, known as the ELN.”
She added that “going beyond their normal duties of baptizing babies, celebrating Mass and hearing confession, they intervene to secure freedom for hostages, escort civilians to safety through combat zones and broker temporary truces.”
Housego cites the case of Fr. Leonel Narvaez, a priest in the town of Caqueta, who met with leaders of a paramilitary group in an effort to promote peace. On the way home, he noticed a rattling noise coming from the engine compartment.