Guatemala: archbishop announces march for peace

October 19, 2011

Guatemala’s leading prelate has announced that a march for peace will take place on October 22, the liturgical memorial of Blessed John Paul II. Some 40,000 people are expected to take part.

Marchers, said Archbishop Oscar Julio Vian Morales, will demonstrate a willingness to “defend life and to build peace and reject the culture of violence and death that, according to statistics, kills more than 15 Guatemalans every day.”

“For these and other problems such as drug dealing, malnutrition, extortion, the Catholic Church in Guatemala appeals for reflection, and calls to prayer and commitment on behalf of everyone, so as to favor the dignity of human beings as children of God.”

81% of the nation’s 13.7 million people are Catholic, according to Vatican statistics.

 

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Further information:

• The march for peace: a Catholic response to the wave of violence that kills 18 Guatemalans every day (Fides)