Pope expresses sorrow at killing of two priests - World - Pope John Paul II - Brief Article

National Catholic Reporter, Nov 1, 2002

COLOMBIA: Pope John Paul II expressed sorrow at the killing of two Colombian priests and urged Catholics in the strife torn country not to lose hope in Christ's message of life and peace. In telegrams of condolence sent in his name Oct. 18, the pope encouraged Colombia's clergy and laity "in these sorrow and difficult times to strengthen their hope through an unshakeable hope in Christ."

The two priests were killed Oct. 18 in separate shootings, the latest in a series of attacks on Catholic clergy. According to the Vatican's newspaper, three men shot Fr. Jose Luis Cardenas shortly after he celebrated Mass in the northwestern town of Chalan, department of Sucre, where he was pastor.

The other victim, Fr. Gabriel Arias Posada, vicar general of the Armenia diocese, was killed along with his driver in a rural area in the department of Caldas. According to local reports, he had been attempting to negotiate the release of a man kidnapped by the country's largest rebel group.

At least 27 Colombian priests and bishops have been killed in the last 10 years by rebel groups or drug traffickers, according to the Colombian bishops' conference.