What is Really Happening in Colombia: From Two Roman Catholic Women Priests in Colombia-Update

In an update on conditions in Colombia Rev. Maria Elena Sierra Sanchez, RCWP has informed us that all of the nation’s teachers joined in a strike with parents and students on Tuesday while yesterday they were joined by 5000 indigenous people who also took to the streets for their human rights. Thus far these marchers have not been met with renewed violence and we are thankful for that. Clearly it is a time of massive protest and clamor for basic human rights for all of Colombia’s citizens. We pray for positive responses and not the refrain” the Government has no money”. It is right and just to have a living wage and to be treated justly no matter race, class or position. Two of our Roman Catholic Women Priests are teachers, or working in the school system and the toll on their lives and families for living now with no wages as strikes continue is a problem that literally hits home.
Rev. Marina Teresa Sanchez Mejia presided at Mass with us at Good Shepherd on Tuesday. As each one shared responses to the text about Paul and Silas singing and praying in the midst of suffering, Rvda. Marina Teresa led us in prayer for Colombia and our sister priests there, and all in need of assistance at this time of turmoil and decisions that are , finally, just for all.
Rev. Judy Lee, RCWP CoPastor Good Shepherd Inclusive Catholic Community in Fort Myers, Florida

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We are thankful to our RCWP in Cali, Maria Elena Sierra Sanchez for this testimony of what is happening in Colombia currently. We see that teachers are barely paid a living wage for teaching classes of up to 50 students, schools are literally falling apart and there are often no basic materials for the students. We also learn from Rev. Maria Elena that FECODE (the Teacher’s Union) members are protesting in the streets and that their leaders have received threats on their lives and been violently attacked. This is consistent with the experience of our Rev. Marina Teresa Sanchez Mejia also originally of Cali, but here now as her life too has been threatened for advocating for the rights of the Afro-descendents of the Playa Renaciente Community. We also see in YOUtube videos the massive protests of the people of Buenaventura where, as Rev. Maria Elena says there is now no potable water, and also unemployment is more than 60% with most of the people living in extreme poverty, We can see on Youtube that many of Afro-Colombian descent are at the forefront of this fight for human rights. Instead, On our TV’s we see the US President meeting with the President of Colombia who assures us all is well there. The Colombian Government response to these massive protests and strikes is that the Government has no money. Because there is not really freedom of the Press in Colombia we do not hear or see the truth in the USA. Rvda Maria Elena also shares that the health care system is in chaos and sorely lacking and she has had an acute infection in her arm that should have been seen two months ago. As a low paid Maestra in a primary school she can not afford high cost private health care. She asks our prayers for Colombia, especially for the poor, the students and teachers, and those of African descent and other indigenous and marginalized groups.

I also add this important corroborating link from Rvda. Olga Lucia Alvarez, ARCWP bishop residing in Medellin and Bogota: One can translate to English using your computer’s translation system:
Rev,. Olga Lucia also says that they can not see peace in Colombia, but do see the selective assassination of leaders!
“Por donde mires, no se ve la PAZ en este país.

Lo mas preocupante el asesinato selectivo de los lideres!!!”

COLOMBIA. BUENAVENTURA: El obispo que tiene que dar misa entre guardaespaldas

Also Rvgda. Olga Lucia cites this article on the Roman Catholic Bishops of Colombia’s Pacific Coast urging the President of Colombia to recognize and honor pacts with the people of Buenaventura and Choco. It is good to see the Church siding with the poor in this struggle.

Iglesia católica pide al Gobierno colombiano cumplir con Buenaventura y Chocó

We suffer with our sisters in Colombia as they witness this extreme poverty and often violent suppression of human rights. We know with them that the middle class and above there may experience another more prosperous and peaceful Colombia, but in standing with the poor this is their daily view. I was with Pastor Marina Teresa yesterday and she showed me the Youtube videos of the military suppression of the protesters. In one, a small baby was killed as the mostly Afro-Colombian descended protesting crowd in Buenaventura was held back forcefully with full military response. Our hearts are with all of our women priests in Colombia and with Marina Teresa as she weeps from knowing this violence personally and sees it so graphically on YouTube. She says it is like PTSD for her seeing this brought her own threats and persecution back and she became depressed. Yet, she was able to pray and is in church today gathering her strength again.

In Solidarity, and love and prayers,
Rev. Dr. Judy Lee, RCWP

maria elena holy week