Guatemalan Archbishop: Pray for peace and an end to violence

Vatican News

Archbishop Gonzalo de Villa y Vásquez, Archbishop of Santiago de Guatemala, issued a statement on 18 January regarding the recent unrest “generated by the security crisis” in the country, particularly areas of the Archdiocese.

He extended his condolences “for those who lost their lives today, and to raise my prayer to the Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, that peace may return to our city and its surrounding municipalities.”

To avoid placing anyone else’s life at risk, the Archbishop of Santiago de Guatemala suggested and authorized “that the evening Masses this Sunday be suspended throughout the entire territory” of the department of Guatemala.

Extending an invitation to the universal Catholic Church, he called for unceasing prayers “for peace and for an end to the homicidal violence that is afflicting and grieving us at this time.”

Situation in the country

That same Sunday—18 January—the Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo declared a state of siege throughout the entire national territory for a period of 30 days, in response to the escalation of violence linked to gang structures, such as prison riots and armed attacks against the National Civil Police (PNC).

In a message to the nation, the president announced the immediate implementation of this exceptional measure. He argued its necessity as a means of protecting the population and guaranteeing internal security.

Additionally, it would enable the use of “the full force of the State” against the offensive carried out by criminal groups, as reported by ADN Celam (the news service/newsletter of the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council).