Just one week before his inauguration, Colombia’s President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, along with Vice President-elect José Manuel Restrepo and several cabinet nominees, held a spiritual retreat to reaffirm their commitment to governing under divine guidance. The retreat, announced on Aug. 1 via de la Espriella’s social media, included the distribution of Bibles with a map of Colombia and the heart of Jesus on the cover, and featured a video message from Pope Leo XIV. Participants, including de la Espriella’s wife Ana Lucía Pineda and nominees such as Jaime Andrés Beltrán, Mauricio Gómez, Iván Cancino, and Elsa Noguera, emphasized the importance of faith in nation-building. “To build a great nation, one must place God at the center of every decision,” de la Espriella stated. Restrepo echoed this sentiment, saying, “A nation that prays together stays together.”
The retreat sparked controversy, drawing criticism from members of the outgoing administration of President Gustavo Petro, who argued it undermined Colombia’s secular state. Labor Minister Antonio Sanguino and Rep. Mafe Carrascal voiced their concerns on social media. However, the retreat found defenders, including Medellín Mayor Federico Gutiérrez, who rebuked critics for suggesting “that even believing in God is a sin.” Conservative Party Rep. Luis Miguel López noted that “a secular state guarantees freedom of conscience; it does not force a president to hide their faith,” adding that the criticism reflected a double standard, as previous government rituals were met with tolerance.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa and adapted by EWTN News English.
