Colombia’s bishops concluded their 120th Plenary Assembly with a call to the country for conversion and dialogue. The bishops also urged citizens to take part in the upcoming elections, exercising their right to vote “in full freedom and conscience, without corruption.”
By Davide Dionisi
The entrustment of Colombia to the intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá, patroness of the country, and the commitment to continue walking alongside the people in the search for reconciliation, justice, and peace marked the conclusion of the 120th Plenary Assembly of the Colombian Bishops. The gathering concluded on Friday, February 13, in Bogotá, after five days of intense work.
The final document approved by the bishops invites the people to conversion, dialogue, and responsible participation in democratic life, while at the same time reaffirming the bishops’ closeness and support for the most vulnerable, especially during the most difficult period of the year, the winter season. In this regard, on Sunday, February 15, the Christian Communication of Goods Campaign will begin, promoting initiatives in favor of the neediest families, particularly those affected by flooding. This annual collection promoted by the Church for the most vulnerable usually begins on the First Sunday of Lent.
Conversion and reconciliation
With the beginning of Lent approaching, the Episcopal Conference urged people to take “authentic steps of conversion” and to accept Christ’s invitation “to return to friendship, to join hands, and to seek unity.” In this perspective, reconciliation is understood not as an abstract concept but as a concrete path of personal and social healing.
For their part, the bishops reaffirm their commitment to continue offering their contribution “to forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace in the country,” and invite all Colombians to “build bridges across the differences and opposing positions that divide us,” promoting encounter, listening, and mutual recognition as members of the same family.
Closeness to priests
The bishops also expressed gratitude to priests for “their presence throughout the national territory and for their valuable service,” which “accompanies and nourishes the faith, hope, and charity of the communities entrusted to them.” The formation and accompaniment of priests, they continued, “is one of the primary duties,” and for this reason they will continue to dedicate themselves to “caring for their overall well-being so that they may exercise their ministry in truth with renewed dedication.”
Direct appeal to members of society
The bishops further urged Colombians “to be builders of peace and witnesses of hope.” To children, adolescents, and young people, they recommend cultivating friendship with Jesus Christ, who enables them to be happy by loving as He loves, caring for creation, and building the country they dream of.
To families, described as “fundamental schools of social virtues,” they ask them not to tire of loving and serving life. To state institutions, they encourage the continued promotion of respect for human rights, the fulfillment of civic duties, and the strengthening of democracy and the institutions that support it. They also urge the government to “strengthen dialogue with all in order to effectively promote reconciliation and overcome radical fragmentation in social and political life.”
In the context of the upcoming elections, they call on those aspiring to high public office to “avoid verbal violence and propose truthful paths” that allow progress toward authentic national development, reconciliation, and peace. At the same time, they ask business leaders to promote community participation and a fair distribution of wealth, and media professionals and digital content creators to carry out their work responsibly.
Voter Participation
Finally, the Colombian bishops invite all citizens to participate actively and peacefully in the upcoming elections—parliamentary elections in March and presidential elections in May, exercising their right to vote “in full freedom and conscience, without corruption.”
At the invitation of the Colombian authorities, a European Union Election Observation Mission (EOM) will be deployed to monitor both the legislative and presidential elections. The EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, has appointed Esteban González Pons, Vice-President of the European Parliament, as Chief Observer.
