Religious authorities condemn stunt jumper at Colombia's Las Lajas Sanctuary

Religious authorities at Colombia's Las Lajas Sanctuary have strongly condemned an individual's decision to jump from a bridge within the sacred site into the Guáitara River. They issued a firm call for respect towards the sanctuary, emphasizing its status as a place of faith, prayer, and pilgrimage, rather than a venue for extreme sports or dangerous stunts.

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We have seen with concern the circulation on social media of a video in which a person jumps from one of the Sanctuary's bridges into the river, putting their life at grave risk.

The administration of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Las Lajas reacted with deep concern to videos circulating on social media, showing a man performing a stunt. The footage depicts the individual leaping from one of the sanctuary's bridges into the fast-flowing waters of the Guáitara River, witnessed by numerous visitors.

This incident has created a controversy, pitting Catholic faithful against proponents of extreme sports. The religious authorities stressed that the dissemination of such irresponsible content could encourage others, particularly young people, to imitate dangerous actions that could lead to tragedy. They reiterated that the sanctuary is not a stage for challenges or for seeking social media recognition.

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It is not a stage for challenges, dangerous practices, or for seeking recognition on social media.

Authorities urged both locals and visitors to act responsibly, to respect the sanctity of the site, and to promote messages that protect life on social media. The message concluded with a plea for divine guidance: "May Our Lady of Las Lajas teach us to value and care for the greatest gift: life."

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Do not risk your life or that of others. The sanctuary is not a place for challenges.