A century-old land dispute between two communities in the Spokane mission area has again erupted in violence and death. On December 17, 2021, thirteen people were killed in Chiquix, near the town of Nahualá.

On December 20th, the government declared a state of emergency for thirty days in the communities of New Ixtahuacán and Nahualá. This declaration set curfew hours, limited assemblies and demonstrations, and prohibited the carrying of weapons.

On January 18, 2022, leaders from both communities began negotiations in an effort to work toward a peaceful agreement. Please pray for a just and honorable solution to this conflict so that the people of New Ixtahuacán and Nahualá may live in peace.

O God, Creator of all that is good, divine King of all nations, Lord of our hearts: we come in prayer before You in a spirit of gratitude- gratitude for Your providential hand which guides our lives, grateful for Your love and mercy which bring us hope, grateful for faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ.

We are grateful for the over-60 years that You have blessed us with a covenant relationship with our brothers and sisters with whom we share this faith, in the region within the Diocese of Solola/Chimaltenago in which our diocese has established a mission.  Through these years, You have blessed us in Spokane and our friends in Guatemala through our mutual prayers, material support, and witness to faith and hope, and we thank You.

In this time of violence and unrest in the area within and around our mission territory, we come to You in a spirit of need and trust in Your care, asking You to send Your healing grace upon this time of strife, that people involved in or endangered by the present violence might find peace through mutual respect, open discussion about disagreements, laying down of arms, and recognition of Your call to holiness and peace.

Help us in the Diocese of Spokane to continue to offer up our prayers to You for the calming of this strife among our brothers and sisters in Guatemala, with whom we are one in the Body of Christ, He through whom we offer You this prayer, for He is the Prince of Peace and Lord of all, forever and ever. Amen