in Colombia

Throughout Colombia’s 40-year-old conflict, the church has often been the only channel of communication between warring factions. In isolated regions, priests fill a void left by the absence of state authority.

“The church is the only institution that all sides respect,” said the Rev. Luis Ritmel, whose parish is in the jungles of Bojaya county in northwestern Colombia, along a major smuggling route that is being fought over by rebels and their paramilitary foes.

Ritmel said he has arranged cease-fires between the outlawed groups, delivered food to stranded villagers and escorted civilians through battle zones.

“It is God’s will to help those in need, so I am obliged to do so. But obviously I get scared,” Ritmel said. “I was once threatened by the guerrillas for refusing to bless their rifles.”