Act to Stop Violence Against Church Leaders

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Act to Stop Violence Against Church Leaders

"We could easily be killed for saying this, but the international church needs to know."
---Colombian Church Leader

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Church leaders and Lutheran World Relief (LWR) partners in the Colombian province of Córdoba face increased violence—So far in 2009, six Protestant church leaders from southern Córdoba have been murdered by paramilitary armed groups. Several attempted murders and dozens of death threats have caused the forced displacement of hundreds of people. Some churches have been literally caught in the crossfire. In one town six pastors were threatened with death if they failed to make extortion payments. A significant number of the victims were targeted for their community leadership in land-rights struggles and for opposing the violence affecting their communities.

In the province of Córdoba in 2008 there were 512 violent deaths, including six massacres. This is the highest murder rate in the past 18 years. If the violence that has been documented so far in 2009 is an indication, the rate will increase this year.

Three murders in the past four months are particularly alarming. The following men (church and community leaders) were killed by armed men: Pastor Rafael Velásquez was killed on September 6, Marco Fidel Suárez on July 24 and John Jairo Martínez on June 28. This is a great loss to their families and church co mmunity. We ask that you act now to protect the people of Córdoba.

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WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organi zation, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945.

Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.

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