Assassination of a Colombian priest while teaching a class in rural school

Aug 17, 2005 / 22:00 pm

The President of the Colombian Bishop´s conference (CEC), Msgr Luis Augusto Castro denounced the assassination of a priest that was teaching a class in the town of Chaparral, in the province of Tolima. Fr. Jesus Adrián Sánchez became the third priest assassinated this week in the country.

According to Msgr. Castro, the priest was the Pastor of El Limón ( Municipality of Chaparral-Tolima) He was teaching a class when he was dragged out of the class and “shot in the most cruel and brutal manner”. Father Sánchez was forced to exit the school to be shot dead.

“As we learn about this criminal and sacrilegious act, we implore forgiveness and conversion for the authors of such horrendous crime, whoever they may be.

May our condolences  reach the Bishop of the Diocese of Espinal, Msgr. Abraham Escudero Montoya, the Priests and faithful of the Parish of El Limón, as well as his loved ones, family and friends” indicated the communiqué.

In the name of the bishops, Msgr. Castro asked the Colombian  People to “reject this type of violent acts, and to ask the Lord, Prince of Peace, to help us overcome the culture of violence and death, that doesn’t respect the lives of those who strive to build peace, witnesses of truth and life in the midst of a people that cannot bear anymore violence or blood.”