Colombian State Funds Neo-Church Basilica: Erastianism Masquerading as Piety
The ACI Prensa/EWTN News portal reports that the Colombian government, under President Abelardo de la Espriella, has pledged 1.2 billion pesos (approximately $320,000) toward the restoration of the Minor Basilica of the Lord of Miracles in Buga, damaged by the August 10 earthquake, with plans to secure an additional 5 billion pesos from the private sector. The President framed the state funding as a duty to “protect the spiritual symbols of the Colombian people” and to “honor our beloved Black Christ.” The restoration will be supervised by the Ministry of Culture, as the building holds the legal designation of an “asset of cultural interest.” “Masses” are currently held in the town square. The rector, Fr. Alcides de Jesús Orozco, confirmed the image of Christ was undamaged. This sordid transaction epitomizes the Erastian subjugation of the conciliar sect to the secular power, reducing the Kingship of Christ to a matter of cultural heritage management and validating the neo-church’s false worship as a mere instrument of national identity.