The president of the Colombian Catholic Bishops’ Conference officially met with high-level EU officials on 10-11 October 2018 and exchanged views on the ongoing peace process in Colombia addressing the next steps towards the reconciliation of the country.
(Credit: European Parliament)
Following the Colombian elections and in view of the ongoing implementation of the peace agreement, COMECE, together with CIDSE, Caritas Germany, Brot für die Welt and Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe, hosted in Brussels a delegation of the Colombian Catholic Bishops’ Conference and facilitated the bilateral meetings with representatives of the European Parliament, Commission and External Action Service.
The delegation, composed of H.E. Mgr. Oscar Urbina Ortega, President of the Colombian Bishops’ Conference, and Mgr. Héctor Fabio Henao, President of Caritas Colombia, reaffirmed the commitment of the Church to work for a culture of dialogue and encounter in order to allow Colombia to rebuild itself with all its diversity focused on a common goal of a reconciled country with social justice.
“The significant contribution of the EU – stated Mgr. Urbina Ortega – strengthened the legitimacy of the peace process in Colombia. Thanks to the international community, historic steps have been made in terms of confronting with the guerillas and in overcoming other forms of violence”.
During bilateral meetings with the EU representatives, the delegation expressed its concern about the situation of human rights defenders and the internally displaced persons (IDPs), the influx of refugees from Venezuela and the prospects for socio-economic development.