BOGOTA (CWNews.com) - Marxist rebels in Colombia are extorting thousands of dollars from Catholic churches in the country to finance their war against the government, said Archbishop Pedro Rubiano Saenz of Bogota.

    Archbishop Rubiano said the rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have stepped up the pressure on priests to come up with huge sums of money. "They've sought 50 million, 100 million pesos (US$25,000 to $50,000) from certain parishes," he said.

    He added that many pastors have resisted the extortion. "The parishes have been very clear that it's a matter of principle that they cannot hand over ... monies collected for social and evangelical projects," Archbishop Rubiano said.