Colombia Sees Religious Vocations Flourishing
But Family Is Under Attack, Says Charity
 

KOENIGSTEIN, Germany, JULY 3, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Strengthening the family, supporting vocations and giving a voice to the Church in Colombia are priorities for the international charity Aid to the Church in Need.

These imperatives were confirmed by Xavier Legorreta, head of the German-based charity's Latin America I section, upon his return from a visit to the country, where 95% of the population is Catholic.

"Colombia is a crucial country for the Church in Latin America, and, I dare say, for the world," he said, as reported in a note from Aid to the Church in Need. "Over the past years Colombia has experienced a boom in vocations, with hundreds of candidates to the priesthood as well as to the religious life.

"There are more than 100 contemplative monasteries in Colombia's 50 dioceses and hundreds of missionaries from Colombia are working abroad."

Insofar as sects and other non-Catholic religious groups are concerned, they "are not as strong (...) as they are in other Latin American nations," he added.

"On the other hand, the family is under attack, which is evident from the recent 'despenalizaciَn' -- which is practically legalization -- of abortion" in the country, reported the note. "Several bishops feel that there is an action plan to destroy the family -- orchestrated by powerful lobbyists."

"For the Church, however, it is difficult to speak out against these destructive tendencies," because most of the media favor them, the communiqué lamented.

Therefore, the charity is concentrating its aid on the support of vocations, the family and the local Church. The group maintains its activity thanks to the generosity of more than 700,000 private benefactors worldwide.