Catholic Priest Murdered by Marxist Rebels

FARC Rebels

On December 8, Father Javier Francisco Montoya was traveling to a religious celebration in a jungle area in northwest Colombia when he disappeared. A humanitarian commission sent by church authorities managed to meet with leaders of the Marxist rebel group FARC and reported on December 24 that Father Montoya was shot by the rebels and his body was buried. No reason for the murder has been given. "This murder is yet another sad and senseless incident in the unfolding tragedy of modern day Colombia," said VOM spokesman Glenn Penner. "I know from my visits to the country that the people of Colombia yearn for peace but rebels and paramilitaries persist in targeting community and church leaders to keep the population pliable and living in fear. We express our condolences to those who were blessed by the ministry of Father Montoya and pray that God will intervene in a mighty way in Colombia in 2005 and bring peace to this beautiful nation."

Pray for church leaders throughout Colombia facing the constant threat of kidnapping and murder. Pray for a peaceful resolution of the violence in Colombia.

Church leaders in particular have often been targeted by Colombian rebels. In response, The Voice of the Martyrs has, for several years, been supplying local Christians with thousands of copies of the book, "Jesus - Un Amigo para los Alzados en Armas," a Spanish translation of Richard Wurmbrand's book, "Jesus, Friend to Terrorists." As these books have been distributed in rebel-controlled areas or in prisons where they are detained, the response has been excellent with many reportedly having come to Christ. The English version of this book is available through our online catalog. Ministries like this are funded through VOM's "Equipping the Saints Fund," which you can donate to online (click here). Pray that God will continue to use this small book to bring many persecutors to faith in Christ and that His peace will reign in Colombian hearts.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Colombia, click here.