El Salvador: Church launches appeal to stop violence

Archbishop José Luis Escobar

Violence in El Salvador has increased and continues to grow, often affecting people's daily lives. In the last 10 days, five bus drivers have been killed.

According to official figures, 2,865 people were murdered in El Salvador in the first half of the year, a figure much higher than the 1,840 in the same period of 2014.

These levels of violence, an average of 15.8 murders per day, are mainly attributed to the activities of powerful gangs - which ae believed to have as many as 72,000 members.

The local Church has now launched an appeal for peace. "We call on all members to strengthen their faith and to keep hope alive, trusting in divine mercy", said the Archbishop of San Salvador, José Luis Escobar, during the Mass in the cathedral of the capital in celebration of El Salvador, patron of the city of San Salvador.

Source: Fides