Colombian archbishop cautiously welcomes peace accord with FARC rebels
June 23, 2016
The president of Colombia's Catholic bishops' conference has welcomed a peace accord that could end decades of guerrilla warfare, but cautioned that some questions remain.
"The people want to immediately see the effects of the agreement," said Archbishop Luis Castro Quiroga of Tunja, who has been present at peace talks between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). "We need a clear sign that the signature of the agreement is not just a symbolic act."
Archbishop Castro said that key questions include whether the FARC rebels will surrender their weapons, and whether both sides will respect a cease-fire agreement. Further in the future, questions will arise about amnesty for rebel leaders, accountability for human-rights violations, and the involvement of rebels in drug trafficking.
FARC has been fighting against the Colombian government for 50 years.
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Further information:
- Colombia is moving toward peace, but issues remain, says archbishop (CNS)
- Mgr. Castro: "We need a clear sign that the signature of the agreement is concrete" (Fides)
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