Bogotá, Colombia, Feb 24, 2009 / 11:10 am
Archbishop Alberto Giraldo Jaramillo of Medellin expressed his condolences this week over the violent death of Father Juan Gonzalo Aristizabal, who was killed on February 22 by a group of unknown assailants.
In a statement published by the Bishops’ Conference of Colombia, “Archbishop Alberto Giraldo Jaramillo of Medellin, his auxiliary bishops and all the clergy of the archdiocese lament the violent death of Father Juan Gonzalo Aristizabal Isaza on February 22 by unknown assailants and which is under investigation by the competent city officials.”
“As the Catholic Church we roundly reject these kinds of acts that go against human life, the betterment of society and the work of evangelization of a priest who daily sought the good of others. We have no words to express our concern and sorrow over the murder of our beloved priest,” the archbishop said.
He also called for prayers for the eternal repose of Father Aristizabal and for those responsible for the crime, “that the Lord might transform their hearts.”