Colombian authorities said a Catholic priest from a town outside Medellín led paramilitary groups that committed rapes and massacres and persecuted evangelical ministers and believers. The priest, the Rev. Oscar Ortiz Henao, was arrested in mid-April. Prosecutors said Father Ortiz created a paramilitary group in the town of San Antonio de Prado. Colombia’s right-wing paramilitaries are notorious for human rights violations and “social cleansing” operations, which kill prostitutes, thieves, drug addicts and other “undesirables.” Father Ortiz was a popular figure in San Antonio del Prado. After his arrest, residents marched in protest. Many said the priest had helped cleanse the neighborhood of criminals and had created a school for poor children. A judge confined Father Ortiz to a residence for priests in Medellín while legal processes continue. Father Ortiz’s lawyer told media that the priest had contacts with illegal groups only during peace negotiations.
Colombia Captures Paramilitary Priest
Show Comments (
)
Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
The latest from america
As I sit sore and tired, I cannot also help but think that the N.Y.C. Marathon for me is a thin space, a space where I can easily see God’s presence in the world.
Archbishop Domenico Battaglia of Naples has been named as one of the prelates Pope Francis will make a cardinal on December 7th.
“I will not vote for president this year,” Monica Brent writes. “I cannot in good conscience vote for Donald Trump, for many reasons. However, Kamala Harris’s stance on abortion makes her a no-go for me, as well. ”
Pope Francis, your encyclical on the Sacred Heart, “Dilexit Nos,” is beautiful and heartwarming. And for Catholics in the United States, the timing was perfect.