Colombia’s Catholic Church stressed the necessity for the Andean nation to seek a humanitarian exchange with guerrilla organization the FARC in its Good Friday sermon.
Bishop of Bogota, Cardinal Pedro Rubiano said in his Easter address that Colombia should celebrate the FARC’s handover of the remains of policeman Julian Ernesto Guevara but insisted that the Colombian people should pressure their government to seek a humanitarian exchange with the guerrilla organization.
Cardinal Rubiano asked the FARC to accept responsibility for the violence they have inflicted upon thousands of Colombian families. He demanded the FARC liberate their 22 remaining hostages and asked them to seek a dialogue with the Colombian government.
Senator and ‘Colombians for Peace’ leader Piedad Cordoba supported the Church’s call, saying that “the country is tired of the war.”
The Uribe administartion has expressed interest in a humanitarian exchange of incarcerated guerrillas for FARC hostages, but says the FARC would have to negotiate directly with the government.
Millions of faithful Catholics around Colombia will attend masses, street parades and festivals this Easter weekend.