Pereira (Colombia), 04/03/2017, Sr. Marierka Milagros Santana.- Sr. Liliana Franco, from the Company of Mary and Chair of the Conference of Religious in Colombia (CRC), along with the Father Álvaro Betancourt, diocesan priest, guided the workshop that took place on April 01- 02, in the City of Pereira, Colombia, at De la Salle Brothers’ school. On April first, at 9:30 in the morning, religious men and women, and laity committed arrived at La Salle School, to participate in the workshop.
Peace - Pereira On the first day of the workshop, Sr. Liliana Franco, the facilitator of the day, said the path of forgiveness and reconciliation is a demand. It is to recognize and clarify the pain and wounds of Colombians. Violence has roots, and they are not from now. However, the school of forgiveness makes us teachers of reconciliation and unity. On the second day, the Fr. Álvaro Betancourt, focused the workshop on affectivity and God’s project. God's forgiveness is free. One person is able to forgive, only if he has accepted forgiveness. The dream of God and humanity is to live the Shalom, which means peace that PEACE that God alone gives to his children.In the middle of this environment, questions arise in the auditorium, for example: How can I forgive the one who hurt me so much? Could he be saved? The answers to these questions are different from the human thought. People punish severely others because of their heart's wounds and pain, but God forgives and welcomes those who have repented from all evil that they have done. There were also testimonies of victims and victimizers, which motivate to forgive and to reconcile with the victims of the war, which has damaged a lot to Colombia. The same people, who were there, said they forgive their aggressors from their heart. However, those who have not lived the war directly are closed to reconciliation and forgiveness. All workshop participants, including the victims of the war, committed themselves to live the Gospel spirit: justice, truth, reparation and sincere repentance. All these based on reality.
WE ARE ALL ARTISANS OF PEACE
Peace - Pereira