In an encounter between the dome of the Colombian Catholic Church and President Gustavo Petro, the bishops reiterated their commitment to the peace and reconciliation of the country.
The meeting, held on March 4 at Casa de Nariño, headquarters of the Colombian government, addressed crucial issues such as accompaniment in negotiations with the National Liberation Army (ELN), the construction of an ethical framework for peace and the importance of religious freedom.
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The president of the Episcopate, Mons. Francisco Javier Múnera, highlighted the opening of the government and the will of the Church to explore new possibilities to reactivate the peace dialogue, emphasizing that the expectations of the communities must be in the center of this process.
In addition to Monsignor Múnera, the Vice President of the Episcopate also attended, Mons. Gabriel Ángel Villa Vahos; and the Secretary General, Mons. Germán Medina Acosta.
On the part of the Government, Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia and the director of the Administrative Department of the Presidency of the Republic, Angie Lizeth Rodríguez also participated.
“We told the president that our contribution to peace and the reconciliation of the country is in the name of the communities to whom we already serve. Of course, it is also our mission and mandate from the Gospel, from the pastoral mission we have, ”said Mons. Múnera in a video posted on the episcopate website.
They also reiterated the commitment of accompaniment of the Catholic Church “by perhaps the only national table that is currently between the Government and the ELN, which is currently going through special difficulties.”
The negotiations for a peace agreement between the State and the ELN were suspended on January 17 by President Petro following the various attacks committed by the guerrillas.
The president of the Episcopper reported that during the meeting with the president it was emphasized that the expectations and hopes of the communities must be the central point in the search for peace.
“As a conference we are in the construction of an ethical framework of peace to set our vision, our criteria, our principles. Let’s say, also, our non -negotiable principles, ”he said.
“There are basic, fundamental requirements of the right of dignity, human rights, international humanitarian law. If this is not minimally respected, then what is the point of being part of an accompaniment table? ”He asked.
Mons. Múnera recalled that the Church participates in the dialogue as a companion and not as a negotiator. It is very important to “clarify what our positioning will be at a table where interlocutors have a political status,” he said.
In the video, the president of the Episcopate said that the meeting was also addressed “the need to generate an interlocution in other areas that are of interest to the country and for the Church”, such as religious freedom.
The prelate explained that, respecting the other denominations in an ecumenical climate, the Church wishes “to have a much more significant seat.”
He clarified that privileges are not being claimed, “but simply also asserting the rights that assist us as confession, as a Church, as a Catholic communion.”
In that sense, he said that the law of parents to choose religious education for their children must be guaranteed by the State. “
Mons. Múnera said they found “a very large opening” by political authorities.
Eduardo Berdejo
Professional in Social Communication of the National University of San Marcos in Peru, I have more than 20 years of experience in Catholic digital journalism. As part of ACI Press, I have been sent to cover the trips of Pope Francis to Cuba, Mexico, Colombia and Peru, in addition to the Synod of Sinodality in the Vatican in 2023.