Total Catholic

A CAFOD partner working with people forced to flee their homes in one of the most conflict-torn areas of Colombia has been shot dead.
A group of armed men, believed to be paramilitaries, abducted Felipe Landazury from Candelillas de la Mar, in the diocese of Tumaco near the border with Ecuador, last Tuesday. Several hours later he was found dead with three bullets in his head.

The armed men also rounded up the local community and threatened them, accusing them of passing on information to the Colombian army and guerrillas about their activities in the area.

Felipe worked for a local Pastoral Border project which supports the needs of people forced from their homes and prevents human rights violations.

The project was set up by the Catholic churches in Colombia and Ecuador and is funded by CAFOD.

Barbara Davies, CAFOD Programme Support Officer for the Andes, said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by Felipe’s death. He worked tirelessly to help people affected by the Colombian conflict. His family and friends are in our prayers.”