Pope: No Political Justification for Kidnapping in Colombia

BOGOTA, Colombia, DEC. 16, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is praying for all Colombians, and especially for the military men, police and civilians who are held by kidnappers.

This was affirmed in a message written on his behalf by his secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. The papal note was announced at a Tuesday press conference, and read by the secretary-general of Colombia's bishops' conference, Bishop Juan Vicente Cordoba of Fontibon.

The Pope appealed for prompt dialogue and the conversion of those who kidnap, so that peace can be attained in the country.  

He expressed to all the families of the kidnapped "the testimony of his closeness given the anguish over this iniquitous suffering, which no genuine political or social claim justifies." 

In response to this telegram, the Colombian episcopate appealed to all the faithful and people of good will to dedicate the intention of the Christmas novena, which begins today, for the release of the kidnapped.

Bishop Cordoba recalled the Church's offer to facilitate dialogue between the armed groups and the state.

In 2010, the phenomenon of abductions in Colombia increased again after several years of a decline: According to data from the Colombian Ministry of Defense, 282 individuals were kidnapped last year.

Meanwhile, Colombia's police have reported the capture of a man accused of taking part in last September's abduction of Nohora Valentina Muñoz, a 10-year-old girl. The girl returned to her home after being in the power of the rebels of the Armed Revolutionary Forces of Colombia (FARC) for two weeks.

Nohora's abduction generated an outcry in the country, despite the frequency of kidnappings. The girl became known internationally when Benedict XVI, through the Colombian ambassador to the Holy See, invited her to attend last Monday's Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on the feast of the patroness of the Americas, Our Lady of Guadalupe. The girl was the standard bearer for Colombia in the procession that preceded the celebration of the Mass presided over by Benedict XVI, in which the Pontiff announced his second trip to Latin America.

Officially, Colombia registers 24,000 kidnapped, but according to experts, the figure could be greater.