Bogota, Columbia: A Catholic priest was found murdered under mysterious circumstances at the province of Kauka, following a fight that ensued between armed militant groups in Columbia. Rev. Fr. Johnny Ramos, the parish vicar of Jesus De La Misericordia Church in the village of Villavicencio was found dead with hands and legs tied. The body was found near the residence of the late vicar. As per the police records, the murder seems to be the result of an attempt of robbery at the presbytery.
The news of the crime was announced by Msgr. Oscar Urbina Ortega of the Diocese of Villavicencio. If the preliminary autopsy reports are to be believed, the vicar was attacked by a nearly smooth object on his head several times, in order to cause severe deliberate injury. The report also suggests that he was strangled to death. The police stated that the tests are underway and more details could be ascertained once all the tests are completed.
Though Rev. Ramos had served the church in Villavicencio for just four months, he was very dear to all the faithful of the parish. There have been constant fights between the army and guerrilla groups in Kauka Province. The church in Columbia has always supported the stabilization of a firm governmental base in the region. As per sources, he is the second priest to be found murdered in Columbia, this year.
