VATICAN CITY (CNS): Pope John Paul II has condemned the slaying of a Colombian archbishop, saying the prelate had paid with his life for his pastoral and peacemaking efforts.
The Pope joined millions of Colombians who mourned the death of Archbishop Isaias Duarte Cancino of Cali, who was gunned down last Saturday after celebrating a wedding ceremony in a poor neighbourhood of the city.
Speaking at a noon blessing at the Vatican on March 17, the Pope said the archbishop had been “barbarously murdered” and expressed his closeness to all Colombians in their loss.
“A pastor who was generous and brave in announcing the Good News, he paid the highest price for his energetic defence of human life, his firm opposition to every type of violence and his dedication to the social promotion,” the Pope said.
Archbishop Duarte, 63, recently had spoken out against unnamed politicians he said were financing electoral campaigns through drug money.
Church officials and government investigators said drug criminals were the leading suspects in the archbishop’s murder.
