Colombia: Monsignor Múnera calls on the new Government to work for unity, reconciliation, and the dignity of the vulnerable

Unity, reconciliation, and hope marked the message of Monsignor Francisco José Múnera Correa, president of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia, during the ecumenical moment of the presidential inauguration of Abelardo de la Espriella, held this August 7 at the USC Arena of the Universidad Santiago de Cali.

The spiritual character of the day was also reflected in the setting of the inauguration, where an image of the Virgin of Fatima accompanied the ceremony from an altar set up next to the main platform. This sign of Catholic tradition joined the ecumenical moment that brought together representatives of different faiths.

During his speech, the also Archbishop of Cartagena wished “well-being and blessings” to President Abelardo de la Espriella and Vice President José Manuel Restrepo, while calling to guide the new government period towards justice, peace, and truth.

In this context, Monsignor Múnera evoked Psalm 84 to invoke that “love and truth meet, justice and peace embrace”, as a horizon for Colombia.

The first desire expressed by Monsignor Múnera was to strengthen “the unity of the nation,” which, he specified, “does not mean uniformity, but harmony.”. For Colombia, he posed the challenge of building “a symphony of relationships,” starting from the recognition of those who think differently and the certainty that “the future is built by integrating.”

Furthermore, he stated that Colombia needs the commitment of all to advance towards “a truly human and integral development,” in which “no one feels excluded or discriminated against.” To this end, he insisted on recognizing and valuing the contribution that each person makes from their own vocation and responsibility.

The second desire posed by Monsignor Múnera was related to reconciliation and peace, “one of the greatest desires of Colombia.” These, he observed, “flourish” when “truth, justice, forgiveness, and solidarity” are cultivated, inequalities decrease, corruption gives way to transparency, and “violence ceases to be a language.”

For the president of the episcopate, this path requires “responsible citizens, solid institutions, and leaders capable of listening, dialoguing, and deciding with the present and future generations in mind.”

Referring to the most vulnerable, Monsignor Múnera reminded that “the poor are almost always victims, not culprits” and said that the greatness of a leader is also measured by their commitment to “the weak, the vulnerable, and the abandoned of society.”

Finally, the archbishop called to take on the construction of Colombia as “a shared task” between institutions and the various sectors of society. Reiterating the call of Pope Leo XIV in his encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, he pointed out as paths for this purpose the promotion of human dignity, the cohesion of communities, the care of our common home, and the good of all.


SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE OF COLOMBIA AT THE INAGURATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC.pdf

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