The Catholic Church in Colombia has invited citizens to join on May 3 to the National Day for Reconciliation to renew the commitment to build peace in the country, encouraged by the call made by Pope Francis during his 2017 visit.
In Your message posted on May 1the bishops recalled that the National Day for Reconciliation is an initiative that was born after the visit of the Holy Father “as a call to unity, forgiveness and the construction of a future in peace.”
Receive the main news of ACI Press by WhatsApp and Telegram
It is increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social networks. Subscribe to our free channels today:
Francisco traveled to Colombia from September 6 to 10, 2017. On Friday 8 he visited the city of Villavicencio where he had an encounter with victims of violence and beatified Mons. Jesús Jaramillo, Bishop of Arauca; and to P. Pedro Ramírez, known as the Mártir de Armero.
The bishops recalled that in his homily, “Pope Francis encouraged us with a message that still resonates in our hearts: ‘Colombia, open your heart of the people of God, let yourself reconcile! Do not fear the truth or justice.'”
“In addition,” the prelates added, “he insisted firmly and tenderly that it is possible to take the first step on the road to peace.”
Therefore, they indicated that the 2025 day, which coincides with the Jubileo de la Esperanza, “becomes an opportunity to testify to living faith, commitment to the other, and shared hope in a Colombia where forgiveness and truth sanitates our wounds.”
Rebuild trust
In their message, the bishops indicated that to achieve reconciliation and peace it is first necessary to “rebuild trust.”
“The current polarization situation that our country lives and the unfortunate terrorist attacks against the civilian population and the public force show that violence, exclusion and distrust have deeply lacerated the soul of our nation.”
The bishops indicated that “given this situation it is necessary to restore the tissue of trust, heal invisible wounds, build true fraternity on foundations of justice, truth and mercy through mutual respect, sincere dialogue and the willingness to recognize the other as similar and equal in dignity.”
They also called all sectors of Colombian society to assume the commitment to reconcile the country. “We cannot delegate this task in others or expect more favorable times: the time to heal, to meet again, to treat us as brothers is now.”
“That in this jubilee year, the reconciliation is the most notorious sign of hope. Colombia is called to Renacer and that rebirth will only be possible if each of us, from its place, mission and task, becomes a sower of reconciliation, justice and hope. To move towards reconciliation, we synodly traveled the path of what our beloved Pope Francis called ‘The mystique of the encounter,” they said.
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.