Last Wednesday, over 40 internally displaced people gathered in a local Mennonite church to reflect on congressional movement regarding U.S. policy toward Colombia. According to the latest U.N. reports, Colombia now contains the second highest number of internally displaced people in the world—more than Iraq, and second only to Sudan. As victims, they are tired of war and discouraged by the preferential treatment for some victimizers: For every dollar given by the U.S. to help a victim of internal displacement, $50 goes to help a demobilized paramilitary combatant.
Safety and a life without fear are still far off for these victims, but recent achievements in Congress represent steps in the right direction. Nods, smiles, and lively responses affirmed that they speak to our distant hope. From the latest Latin America Working Group e-mail newsletter:
We are delighted to tell you resolution 426 for displaced Colombians has passed the House of Representatives. The resolution, first introduced by Rep. Jim McGovern, brings renewed attention to the plight of the many Colombians violently displaced from their communities while also recommending an increase in humanitarian aid. Increasing aid in this way will give internally displaced persons a real opportunity to rebuild their lives in a dignified manner. However, the passage of this resolution is only one of many victories for peace and justice in Colombia in recent weeks.
After many years of advocating for change, we are thrilled to report the positive new approach to Colombia has recently been approved by the full House of Representatives. …
The foreign aid bill cuts military aid to Colombia by $30 million while greatly increasing aid for poor farmers and victims. For example, Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities will receive $15 million in development aid planned in consultation with these communities.
The aid package aims to strengthen respect for human rights by providing judicial institutions with the resources they need to investigate abuses and collaboration with paramilitaries. Human rights conditions will now apply to 40 percent, not just 25 percent, of military aid in the bill.
Given the failure of aerial spraying to curb coca cultivation by even a single hectare in seven years, the House has also sensibly reduced funding for spray planes used to fumigate farms and increased aid for small farmers. It’s not perfect—but it’s a huge step in the right direction!
Now, we must shift our efforts to securing a positive new direction for Colombia on the Senate side. Since the foreign aid bill will be coming before the full Senate soon, now is the perfect time to contact your senator and ask them to support this new approach in aid to Colombia. Encourage them to provide greater assistance to help Colombia’s victims of violence, to strengthen the justice system, and to provide real economic alternatives to small farmers. We are on a roll—let’s keep the pressure on!
Janna Hunter-Bowman works for Mennonite Central Committee in Bogotá, Colombia, as the coordinator of the Documentation and Advocacy Program for Justapaz, the peace and justice ministry of the Colombian Mennonite Church.
posted July 20, 2007 at 8:49 am
Janna
In all seriousness and kindness. You need to write a story that pricks the heart more. This one reads like an old 1940′s news reel. People need to know and understand ‘why’ you are involved, ‘what’ is being done improve/correct the situation. ‘Who’ you are working for and ‘how’ their getting involved with make a difference in the lives of those your ministry is dealing with. An example of a life that has been changed/improved would do wonders for making it more personal.
All the best -
.
posted January 13, 2008 at 1:42 am
Does anyone know the FARC’s Policy toward the Latin Tridentine Mass? I understand many of the Colombian Rebel Movements in the 1960s were actually founded by Catholic priests who were the Jefes, is that true? And back then there was only the Old Latin Mass before those Conciliar Changes of the Vatican II Council. In China, I know that the Chinese Communist Patriotic Catholic Church, which rebelled from Rome, still celebrates the Old Latin Mass Liturgy with their valid succession of bishops. But, I am not sure does the FARC-EP have chaplains like a regular military? And how about the ELN, and the various other rebel groups? Do these various rebel groups communicate together for special feasts (Communcatio in Sacris)?
Do they tolerate Traditionalist Catholic Priests? Also what is their policy toward Russian Orthodox Priests? Someone said they kill priests a lot, is that true?
I am little worried to hear Chavez mentioned, I read he is involved in the Sin (Betrayal) of Communicatio in Sacris with non-Catholics (like Muslims). I read these matters from a scholarly book written by a Latino author, Dr. DeTucci (I think he studied at the Javierana?), you can browse the book online:
http://www.lulu.com/content/1753466
I also read Simon Bolivar forbade Non-Catholic Churches in Gran Colombia (and any “Communicatio in Sacris”), is that true? Does President Uribe take a stance on this? Or is he under the control of the AUC? I read also that Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos of Medellin, Colombia (Head Vatican Official of the Latin Mass Indult Commission Ecclesia Dei–which ironically is trying to heal the Latin Schismatic Rebel Groups formed by the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre of France which extend globally including in Europe and the Americas) is a secret-Jefe of the AUC, and he also has helped the M-19 Block officially pontificating the Old Latin Mass for Medellin and Cali Cartel Families, and of course collecting their donations or la comienza, does anyone have revealing information on this scandal? I guess the rumor may be true that he also helps certain Israel Programs with financial laundering of funds under the guise of Church Hierarchy (Most Holy Family Monastery’s Michael Dimond being the Zionist Superior Jefe of this program). Further, I saw on television that Director Oliver Stone is investigating this whole Latin-Colombian Schism and claims to have the necessary inside information on Uribe and Friends to definitely expose him in a Documentary that will be released on video. I guess there is a certain Bishop Spadafore (from Palma de Troya, Spain) involved in the fiasco?
Thanks,
Rosa
P.S. I also read about Vlad Tepes, a Catholic Prince who resisted the Turkish Muslim Invasion in Romania, he is a national hero to Romania, and he actually died a Roman Catholic! Vlad certainly put fear into his enemies by his strict justice, and his enemies lied that he was a vampire to demonize him. So people can make up stories about people, and call them terrible things, like a terrorist. You can read more here:
http://www.vladcatholic.com