Victim Rights Groups Seek Audience With Pope Francis During His Visit To Philadelphia
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Victim rights groups are seeking an audience with Pope Francis when he comes to Philadelphia this fall for the World Meeting of Families -- and a mother and father who lost their son are leading the effort.
Wilfredo Rojas and Aleida Garcia's son Alex was brutally murdered outside of a North Philadelphia club in January, but instead of sitting down the duo is standing up.
"When our son was killed we didn't just go away, we started an effort," says Rojas. "Action is our therapy."
They started JusticeforAlexNow.com to help families of murder victims cope. Most recently they've teamed up with groups like Mothers in Charge and Parents of Murdered Children, and the duo has written to the Vatican, asking the Holy Father meet with victim families. They say they are hopeful.
"We really want him to let us know that God has a plan and that we could keep our faith and continue to move forward and not surrender to the chaos," says Garcia, who is now working to help families of murder victims full time. "It's all I think about, it's my passion, and I know that nothing is impossible with faith, nothing is impossible for God, and we have faith that this is going to happen."
Garcia and Rojas say they've already met with planners for the World Meeting of Families and most recently launched an online petition. Their goal to get 50,000 signatures worldwide.
"It's not just a dream, it's not just a prayer, but I think our prayers are being answered," says Rojas, who is praying to Saint John Neumann for his support.
