Colombia, South America’s only nation with both a Pacific and an Atlantic coastline — home of the best coffee grown in the world – was for centuries a Catholic nation.

In the 1990s that changed. God was dethroned by an anti-Catholic government.

Things went from bad to worse – drug lords taking over, terrorist attacks, kidnappings, murder and mayhem.

* * *

But President Alvaro Uribe, who became president in 2002, came on national television announcing that “as a nation we are going to say the Rosary together”.

He and his family were consecrated on screen by the Pope’s representative, praying to the Virgin Mary to “help us to have a Colombia that is free of terrorism, prosperous and upright, with social justice”.

“We totally consecrate to you our lives, our work, our joys and sufferings, triumphs and failures . . . protect us from all danger to our souls and bodies. Obtain for us from your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, the graces and favours we ask . . . .”

* * *

During Uribe’s presidency, things started improving. The government applied military pressure on the FARC and other outlawed groups.

Kidnappings decreased from 3,700 in 2000 to 172 in 2009.

Homicides from 28,837 to 15,817

Guerrilla numbers from about 17,000 to about 9000.

* * *

Perhaps Australia, a nation enduring yet another totally materialistic election campaign, a society in decay mode, with increasing suicide, family breakdowns, gambling, drugs, and irreligion . . . .

Perhaps Australia needs to consecrate itself to God.

Neither J, Gillard, claiming to have no religion, nor T. Abbott, religious mainly when it seems politically expedient, seem likely at this stage to sponsor a consecration . . . .

* * *

Yet, if they were convinced there were votes in it, wouldn’t they do it tomorrow?

It’s up to us — general public, priests, bishops — to pressurise the politicos until they feel they have no other option.

Pray to God that he will do the necessary miracle and soften their hard-boiled political hearts.