BOGOTA, Colombia, APRIL 2, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The Diocese of San José del Guaviare offered the services of three priests to mediate the release of former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt.
Betancourt, who also has French citizenship, was kidnapped in the San Vicente del Caguan region
by the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) in February 2002, at the height of her presidential campaign. She has been held in captivity in the jungle of the Latin American nation for six years.
Media reports have said Betancourt, 46, is believed to be gravely ill and suffering from hepatitis B and leishmania, a skin disease caused by insect bites.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy asked FARC leader Manuel Marulanda to release Betancourt on Tuesday. The French nation, along with Switzerland and Spain, sent a medical mission to Colombia today in hopes of being able to treat the Colombian politician.
Bishop Guillermo Orozco of San José del Guaviare explained in his offer that the three priests have helped in other moments to attain the release of other captives.
The prelate clarified that the work would be done with discretion, and with no intention to charge a fee.
The bishop also revealed that a few weeks ago he sent a letter to the FARC, asking if they would accept the mediation of the Catholic Church for a humanitarian agreement. The letter has not been answered.
On March 28, Archbishop Luis Augusto Castro Quiroga of Tunja, the president of Colombia's episcopal conference, made another strong appeal for the release of the ex-presidential candidate.
ZE08040206 - 2008-04-02
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-22181?l=english
Church Offers Mediation for Ingrid Betancourt
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