Pope declines Vatican role in choosing truth commission for Colombia's peace process

August 31, 2016

Pope Francis has applauded a peace agreement that could end a long civil war in Colombia, but declined to help name the members of a truth commission, the Vatican has announced.

While the Pontiff "reiterates his support for the goal of attaining the peace and reconciliation of the entire Colombian people," he does not see a proper role for the Vatican in setting up the committee that is proposed to carry out that work, the Vatican said. The Pope said that the people of Colombia should handle that task.

The truth commission would be assigned to weigh the evidence of crimes committed in the long-running struggle between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Under the peace agreement, rebels could avoid prison sentences if they made a commitment to work for the reconstruction of the country. 

 

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Further information:

• Holy See tells Colombia it won’t pick truth commission judges (AP)
• Colombian archbishop cautiously welcomes peace accord with FARC rebels (CWN, 6/23)