Bishop Wenski says U.S. Catholics must continue supporting Colombia

Published: 2006-07-18

BOGOTA, Colombia (CNS) -- While Colombia is making progress in reducing violent crime and resolving its long civil war, the U.S. Catholic community should continue sending support, said Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of Orlando, Fla. The bishop, chairman of the U.S. bishops' international policy committee, was part of a group of U.S. Catholic leaders who visited Bogota in mid-July to meet with Colombian church officials. Bishop Wenski said that during his visit he observed advances in economic growth, improved security and progress in peace talks aimed at resolving the nation's civil war. "There seems to be some real hope that the different (armed) actors can be brought to a negotiated peace," said Bishop Wenski, who has visited Colombia a half-dozen times. "There are real problems, but I think there are more reasons to be hopeful. What I find is a very vibrant church," he said, "a bishops' conference that is very engaged ... because they're engaged, they're a factor of hope."

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