Bishops, Pope plead for end to hundreds of gang killings in El Salvador
August 10, 2015
Catholic leaders in El Salvador have issued an urgent appeal for an end to gang violence: a message echoed by Pope Francis during his midday audience on August 9.
A shocking rise in violence has brought the murder rate in the Central American country to nearly 16 a day this yea, with most of the crimes attributed to gangs. Archbishop José Luis Escobar of San Salvador urged the faithful to “keep hope alive, trusting in divine mercy,” as he pleaded for peace.
At his regular Angelus audience on Sunday, Pope Francis said that he is “following with deep concern the news of increasing hardships in El Salvador, due to famine, the economic crisis, the acute social conflicts and growing violence.” He called for prayers “that in the land of Blessed Oscar Romero justice and peace will flourish again.”
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Further information:
- 16 murders a day, the church launches an appeal to stop violence (Fides)
- The Holy Father's concern for the violence in El Salvador (Fides)
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