Major breakthrough in Colombian peace talks

The Colombian government and the country's biggest rebel group  have announced an agreement on one of their main bones of contention, land reform, after more than a half year of slow-moving peace talks in Cuba's capital Havana.

The agreement marks a major breakthrough, although several key details still need to be worked out in the coming weeks and months.  The Colombian Bishops’ Conference issued the following statement on hearing the news:

The Colombian bishops’ conference has received with satisfaction the news of the first preliminary agreement between representatives of the Government and the FARC.

As bishops, we consider the land issue to be fundamental for the building of an authentic peace.  Catholic social teaching emphasizes the need for a fair distribution of land and real state policies that contribute to the social and economic development of the countryside.

The building of a peaceful Colombian society based on reconciliation needs to be based on transparent dialogue that aims to bring about the common good for all Colombians. We hope that this continues to be a fundamental criteria that the negotiators use in their delicate mission to establish the basis for a definite cease fire to end the armed conflict. Nevertheless the difficulties of the negotiations and the results obtained to take confirm to us that dialogue is the best way forward in order to achieve consensus and finally end the many years of inhumane violence.

Our hearts, as pastors, have always been particularly close to the victims of the violence, especially those who have been unfairly displaced from their loved ones and their lands.  To them we would like to express again our resolute support, solidarity and commitment.   We as bishops are convinced that in order to achieve peace we must recognise the dignity of the victims of violence and their rights to truth, justice and reparation. Therefore we repeat our respectful request to those at the negotiating table that the current process opens spaces for participation of those who have suffered directly the consequences of the conflict and that they are listened to.

Peace is a constant longing in people’s hearts.  It is a gift from God that we must bring into our lives.   We invite the Catholic community and the people of Colombia to pray and make your own the cause of peace.

Signed by Cardinal Rubén Salazar Gómez, Archbishop of Bogotá