We were in a team meeting, coordinating the month’s activities, and this time it was my turn to write the Prayer for the Peacemakers. I asked, “what can I write it about?” Juan replied: “write about the threat that the community of El Guayabo received this week.” Pierre suggested I write about the northeast of Antioquia, the upsurge of violence, the clashes, the kidnapping and subsequent murder of a social leader in that territory. Jhony suggested I write about the detentions of international accompaniers by paramilitaries. And I thought, “how deep and eternal is this violence! We have more than enough tragedies and fears to request for your prayers”.
However, in the midst of all this, more intimate but no less painful news reached our team. Arturo Gonzalez Pessinatti died, the psychologist who accompanied two members of the CPT Colombia team, one of them being me. I wish more literary, reflective or profound words would have flowed, but no, it is difficult to find words in the midst of such deep silence. In the face of this loss, there was no prose.
In CPT, we firmly believe that taking care of our mental health is fundamental for the ideal, or at least healthier, achievement of our work. CPT seeks that all workers receive support and accompaniment according to their needs, beliefs and contexts. I counted on Arturo. He accompanied me for two-and-a-half years. We talked about depression, anxiety, vicarious trauma, harassment and sexual abuse, post-traumatic stress, about memory, resilience, hatred, forgiveness… Arturo not only helped me to bear my burdens and ease my pains; he shared with me his knowledge, and above all, his humanity. He saw me broken and we put the pieces together. He made me cry, but so many times he made me laugh. He listened to my every word and at the same time, he helped me to listen to myself. I will miss him with every story I can no longer tell him. I will miss him: it is that simple, that raw and that cruel.
As an organisation, we talk daily about the international accompaniment and solidarity that we provide to our partner organisations and communities in each of the countries where CPTers are present. But we have not emphasised enough how those we accompany also walk alongside us, how they also make our work possible. I consider Arturo as a great CPTer, a peacemaker, who accompanied this pair of CPTers who currently walk in solidarity through the Magdalena Medio. Although he never set foot on this land, thanks to his accompaniment he made our steps firm and allowed us to continue our journey, to continue our lives…
Today, I ask for prayers for him. May the earth be light for him. Today I write to honor him before all of you, to exalt his contribution to education and mental health care. I ask for prayers for all those people who have left this plane, but whose memory, love and legacy continue to guide us. I extend a loving recognition for those who continue to be the network that sustains us, who illuminate us with their light, especially when we are left in the dark and get lost along the way.
Thank you all, thank you, Arturo.
Always in our memory, always present, present, present.
