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Colombia

  • Three Killed, Two Wounded in Good Friday Procession Attack

    Like Christians all over the world yesterday, Catholics in the small Colombian town of Delores (125 miles south of Bogota) were marching through the town in a religious procession marking the Stations of the Cross. Without warning, approximately 15 suspected guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) opened fire on the crowd. One soldier and two civilians, including a 14-year-old boy were killed. Two others, including another young child, were wounded in the attack.

    Prior to Holy Week, the country's armed forces had promised Colombians they would guarantee security during the Christian holiday. Armed convoys are escorting motorists along strategic highways. Apparently, the Marxist guerrilla organization saw the government assurances as a challenge and there is now fear of more rebel disruptions during the Easter festivities, as the guerrillas seek to undermine the authority of the police and government of President Alvaro Uribe. Uribe was elected on the basis that he promised to take a harder line with rebel groups in Colombia.

    The Marxist FARC guerrillas are no friends of Christians of any denomination. According to government statistics, they have been responsible for the murders of almost 40 priests and pastors over the last four years. Glenn Penner, Communications Director for The Voice of the Martyrs, said concerning this most recent attack, "It is an unspeakable evil that, during a peaceful procession, armed thugs would deliberately seek to butcher those who had only come to remember the death of their Saviour. Now we must remember the slain and their families in our prayers. And we must double our efforts to win to Christ those who commit such atrocities. Jesus is a friend to terrorists, even if they reject Him. They are filled with hate. But Jesus loved them enough to die for them. This is what we commemorate during Easter and which we will seek to remind them of in the days to come."

    Please pray for the Christians of Colombia during this weekend. Pray that they would be protected from further attacks. Pray for the families of those who have lost loved ones in this attack.
  • Pastor Released After Six Months

    Colombian guerrillas have released a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, Gonzalo Cardona after holding him captive for six months. The pastor of an 800-member church in Uraba in northwestern Colombia was abducted Aug. 19 while traveling in his car with his family. According to a report from Adventist News Network, he has undergone stress tests and is suffering a mild case of malaria, but he is very thankful to the Lord for his release. The feature article of the March edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter will focus on the courage and plight of Colombia's courageous Christians. For more information on how to receive a free subscription, go to www.vomcanada.com/nlonline.htm.
  • Pastor and Companion Assassinated

    Unidentified gunmen assassinated Rev. José Juan Lozada Corteza, pastor of the Evangelical Christian Church of San Antonio, Colombia, on January 27. According to a report from Compass Direct, uniformed men stopped a transit bus, forced the pastor from the bus and shot him in the head. They also killed a member of his church traveling with him. Rebel forces fighting against the government are reportedly responsible for the attack. Since fighting began in 1985, at least 72 Protestant pastors and 33 Catholic priests have been killed.

    In a similar incident in November, two men was ordered to kill Rev. Esnilder Popó, pastor of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Santander, Cauca. However, one came to the pastor following the service and confessed the plan to him, saying, "I could not bring myself to do it." Evangelical and human rights leaders have urged Rev. Popó to leave the area for his safety.

    Pray for safety for Christian leaders throughout Colombia who face threats on their lives as they work to share the Gospel and demonstrate the love of Christ to the people of Colombia.

    The March edition of The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter will focus on the trials and testimonies of our brothers and sisters in Colombia. To subscribe to our free monthly newsletter, go to www.vomcanada.com/nlorder.htm.
  • Shooting Leaves Two Dead and Six Wounded

    Four gunmen entered St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church during Mass on Sunday, January 19 and began shooting, killing two people and wounding six others. According to Zenit, Authorities are speculating that one of the victims was the primary target, perhaps settling a grudge. Ten people have been arrested, suspected of involvement in the attack.

    In recent months, Christians in Colombia have faced increasing violence, particularly from guerrilla groups and those involved in the drug trade. This is the latest of several attacks in the past year, including a bomb attack in May that killed more than 100 people.

    Pray for safety for Christians in Colombia. Pray that their attackers might see the hope that lies within believers and turn to faith in Christ.

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