CALL FOR PEACE IN COLOMBIA

VATICAN CITY, JUN 2, 1999 (VIS) - At the conclusion of this morning's general audience in St. Peter's Square, the Pope made a call for peace in Colombia:

"Sad news continues to arrive from Colombia where last Sunday, at the Church of the Transfiguration in the city of Cali, an armed group sacrilegiously interrupted the celebration of Mass and kidnapped numerous people, among them the priest. In the past, similar acts have occurred in the interior of the country, such as at El Pinon (Magdalena), and murders of clergy have taken place."

"In the face of events of such magnitude, I renew my urgent call for peace, respecting the rights of persons and with commitment to a dialogue that may bring about the desired solution to this grave crisis. I accompany this hope with a request in my prayers that God grant peace to Colombia."

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