Restoring dignity part of Colombian peace plan, says church official

Published: 2004-05-17

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Colombian church's long-range peace plans include efforts to restore human dignity to the victims and the fighters in the 40 years of civil conflict, said the bishops' point man on peace issues. "Reconciliation goes beyond ending the fighting. It involves giving human dignity to people," said Msgr. Hector Fabio Henao Gaviria, executive secretary of the bishops' secretariat for social ministry. The fighting has eaten into the spirits of victims and fighters, especially in poor rural areas where much of the violence has occurred, he said in a May 14 interview while in Washington for meetings. He said the country's widespread poverty, with "70 percent of the population living in a critical economic condition," also was hindering efforts to restore human dignity. Msgr. Henao has been involved in the bishops' multitrack peace programs.

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