Christians Targeted.

Hi, Father Carlos Saúl Jaimes Guerrero is a 30-year-old Roman Catholic priest. This summer he was missing for over a month – abducted by an unknown armed group in Viotá Municipality, Colombia – but praise God that he was released from captivity on 27 July. CSW was one of the voices calling persistently for an investigation into Father Jaimes Guerrero’s disappearance, as were church authorities and other human rights advocates. We thank God for his release and all your prayers and support. Together we can continue working in faith that we will see more good news like this. Make my gift I’m writing to you today because, like Father Jaimes Guerrero, many religious leaders in Colombia have been disappeared in connection with their beliefs. Their movements are often closely monitored, as is the content of their sermons. They are targeted by illegal armed and criminal groups who often see the presence of a strong church as a threat to their authority. Will you give £4 to help those living in fear? We rejoice in Father Jaimes Guerrero’s release, knowing that the story could have been very different. Sadly, some people never make it home alive. On 1 July it was confirmed that the bodies of eight people were found in a mass grave in Calamar, Colombia. They were disappeared after being summoned by an illegal armed group in April. I have listed their names below; please take some time to remember them and pray for their loved ones: Jesús Valero, Carlos Valero, Maribel Silva, Isaid Gómez, Maryuri Hérnandez, Óscar Hernández, James Caicedo, Nixon Peñaloza Chacón. These cases give a snapshot of our day-to-day work on religious freedom: we experience great joy when an innocent person is released, and sorrow when others remain in prison or are killed. We rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15). Your gifts enable us to support the families of those who have been unjustly detained or disappeared around the world. Together we can continue advocating for them - and others suffering for their faith - at local, national and international levels. We want to persevere in pursuing justice and freedom for those who are targeted for their beliefs, however long it takes. Thank you for persevering, too. Grace and peace, Scot Bower CEO P.S. Please join me in praying for the disappeared, and make a gift to help us raise their cases if you can. A gift of any size makes a difference!  CT.