A Colombian pastor was shot and killed in his home in the country’s north late last week with speculation that it was linked to a church protest calling for the restoration of peace in the region.
PICTURE: Pastor Plinio Rafael Salcedo/via Facebook
UK-based religious freedom advocacy CSW says the body of Pastor Plinio Rafael Salcedo, a married father of two, was discovered at his home in the village of La Caucana on 10th August. A pastor of a church in the Movimiento Misionero Mundial group of churches, he had been shot multiple times.
CSW says while the motive for the attack is not yet clear, it was thought to be linked to a protest two days earlier in which 1,000 people from Catholic and Protestant churches in the area had gathered to call for peace.
Mervyn Thomas, CSW’s chief executive, extended “heartfelt condolences” to the pastor’s family.
“Whilst we welcome the Colombian government’s efforts regarding the peace agreement so far, little has changed for many communities in regions where illegal armed groups continue to operate with impunity,” he said in a statement.
“We call on the Colombian government to conduct a full investigation into the murder of the pastor and to bring those responsible to justice. We also urge the government to work with civil society organisations and churches to ensure lasting peace to Colombia.”
