Colombia: Bishop of Palmira repudiates murder of the girl Sofía Delgado Zúñiga

The Bishop of Palmira (Colombia), Bishop Rodrigo Gallego Trujillo, has expressed his strong condemnation of the murder of Sofía Delgado Zúñiga, the 12-year-old girl who had been wanted since September 29.

In a statementthe prelate expressed the union of the Catholic Church “to the cry of the entire community for respect and care for the lives of our children.” “From the Diocese of Palmira, we raise our voice to energetically repudiate the atrocious acts that threaten their integrity and their dreams,” he said.

According to local media, that day Sofía had left her grandmother’s house, in the municipality of Candelaria, Valle del Cauca, to buy shampoo to bathe her pet, however, the girl did not return.

After 18 days of searching and investigation, the Police found Brayan Campo Pillimue, who abused and murdered the little girl. Sofía’s remains were found yesterday, Thursday.

The Bishop of Palmira pointed out that it cannot be allowed “that children continue to be victims of murder, use, recruitment and abuse. “These crimes are a deep wound at the heart of our society and an urgent call to action.”

“We raise our prayers for Sofia Delgado Zúñiga and express our solidarity with her family who today mourns an irreparable loss. It hurts us as a society, as a Church, as a community,” he added.

The Colombian bishop asked that these crimes “not go unpunished” and called on families, communities and authorities to protect and defend the life and dignity of minors.

“It is our sacred duty to guarantee them a present and future of peace, where they can grow up safe, loved and respected,” he said.

Likewise, he said that the Church reaffirms its “commitment to continue working to build a more just and humane society, in which the life of each infant is protected with all the love and dignity they deserve.”

After remembering Jesus’ preference for children, Bishop Rodrigo Gallego exhorted that “Sofía’s death leads us to instill in our children the imperative need to get closer to Jesus, light of the world, so as not to get lost in the midst of this world.” that offers darkness and evil.”