Diocese of Cartagena celebrates National Human Rights Day with procession in honor of San Pedro Claver

The Diocese of Cartagena held a procession and Mass to honor San Pedro Claver during the 39th Week for Peace and National Human Rights Day. Participants walked through the historic center from the area near the Teatro Adolfo Mejía to the San Pedro Claver Sanctuary to advocate for fraternity.

During the Solemn Eucharist, Archbishop Francisco Javier Múnera Correa joined the community to honor the saint, who is recognized as a defender of the persecuted and marginalized. In his homily, Father Francisco de Roux, S.J., described the life of Pedro Claver as a living example of justice and peace that transforms the region.

Father De Roux noted that Claver chose to serve enslaved people rather than using political or military power to seek change. He stated that Claver understood that radical acts of love are more effective and lasting than political or military shifts for achieving social justice.