News Briefs

Pope Francis: It’s our duty to give a voice to women who are victims of abuse

November 9, 2023 Catholic News Agency 2
Pope Francis at his general audience in St. Peter’s Square on May 17, 2023. / Vatican Media

Vatican City, Nov 9, 2023 / 09:17 am (CNA).

Pope Francis has underlined that it is “everyone’s responsibility” to aid women who are victims of abuse and domestic violence by giving a “voice to our voiceless sisters.”

In a message to an Italian campaign to end violence against women published on Nov. 8, the pope urged the importance of educational action that “places the dignity of the person at the center.”

“It is our duty, everyone’s responsibility, to give voice to our voiceless sisters: women who are victims of abuse, exploitation, marginalization, and inappropriate pressure,” Pope Francis said. 

“Let us not remain indifferent! It is necessary to act now, at all levels, with determination, urgency, and courage.”

According to the United Nations, nearly 1 in 3 women worldwide has been subjected to some form of either physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, a statistic that does not include sexual harassment. Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo were found by a Reuters survey in 2018 to be among the most dangerous countries for women. 

Italian government data released in 2022 showed that on average one woman is killed every three days in Italy, many of them by an act of violence from an intimate partner or ex-partner.

“How many women are overwhelmed by the burden and trauma of violence,” the pope said in his message. “How many are mistreated, abused, enslaved, victims of the tyranny of those who think they can control their bodies and lives, forced to surrender to the greed of men.”

The pope said that violence against women must be “eliminated from its roots” — namely prejudiced ideas that see people as “objects” that can be dominated, obscuring their human dignity.

“The Lord wants us free and in full dignity! Faced with the scourge of physical and psychological abuse of women, there is an urgent need to rediscover just and equitable relationship patterns based on respect and mutual recognition,” Pope Francis said.

The Vatican released the message two weeks after Pope Francis signed it on Oct. 27 — the same day that the Holy See Press Office announced that the pope had decided to lift the statute of limitations in the case of Father Marko Rupnik, a priest accused of serious abuses against women, after news that the priest had been returned to priestly ministry in Slovenia sparked outrage and disappointment from many Catholics and abuse victims over the handling of the clerical sex abuse allegations.

Pope Francis encouraged women’s shelters in Italy to continue raising awareness about violence against women. The pope’s message addressed a campaign by CADMI, which provides housing and legal support for women who have suffered from domestic violence, and D.i.Re, a network of women’s shelters and organizations in Italy.

“From the heart and flesh of a woman salvation came into the world; our degree of humanity is revealed by how we treat women, in all her dimensions,” the pope said.

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Colombian bishops call for release of kidnapped father of soccer star and all others 

November 9, 2023 Catholic News Agency 0
Liverpool’s Colombian midfielder Luis Diaz controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park in Liverpool, northwest England on September 3, 2022. / Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

ACI Prensa Staff, Nov 9, 2023 / 05:44 am (CNA).

The Colombian Bishops’ Conference has called on the outlawed guerilla group the National Liberation Army (ELN) to immediately release Luis Manuel Díaz, the kidnapped father of Colombian soccer star Luis Díaz who plays for England’s Liverpool team.

The Colombian bishops said that the country is experiencing a “serious humanitarian situation” as a result of the actions of paramilitary groups and that they strongly condemn the kidnappings. In addition, the prelates called for “the guiding principle of the value of life and its comprehensive protection to prevail.”

“We join the nation’s outcry for Mr. Luis Manuel Díaz to be released so he can return to his home in safety. We hope that the prompt release announced by the ELN delegate for the peace talks with the government will happen immediately,” the bishops said.

The conference expressed its solidarity and closeness with all the others kidnapped by illegal gangs and with their families. “We accompany them with our sentiments of brotherhood and prayer for their prompt release and we implore the invaluable intercession of the Virgin Mary in this supplication to the Lord,” they said.

Finally, the Colombian bishops placed themselves at the full disposal of the authorities to collaborate in whatever is necessary “so that there is not a single human being experiencing the harsh conditions of kidnapping.” They also recalled the words of Pope Francis during his apostolic trip to the country, where he stated that “the search for peace is always a work in progress, a task that gives no respite.”

Fellow athletes show solidarity with Luis Díaz

Several Colombian soccer players — and others from around the world — have shown their support and closeness to Luis Díaz during the last week.

In particular the message from James Rodríguez, historic captain of the Colombian National Team, stands out who wrote on X: “We are with you @ LuisFDiaz19 in these difficult times. We ask for respect and solidarity… Freedom for your father and all those kidnapped!”

Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, David Ospina, Diogo Jota and Jürgen Klopp, the Liverpool coach, also expressed their solidarity. Luis Díaz himself, last Sunday, when scoring a goal against Luton Town, lifted his jersey and revealed another shirt with the message “Freedom for Dad” written on it.

After the game, the Liverpool forward posted a statement on social media in which he appealed to the ELN to release his father:

“Every second, every minute our anguish grows; My mother, my brothers and I are desperate, distressed and without words to describe what we are feeling. This suffering will only end when we have him back home,” he wrote.

Luis Manuel Díaz along with his wife Cilenis Marulanda were kidnapped Oct. 28 by ELN. His wife was later released.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

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