Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Caracas (Agenzia Fides) - "“Faced with initiatives of reform, the decision is in our hands” is the title of an information campaign launched by the Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Venezuela in view of constitutional reforms undertaken by the government to amend 33 of the Constitution's 350 articles. The Bill was presented to the National Assembly on 15 August. At the beginning of September the Bishops met to examine the contents and impact of the proposed amendments and draft a message addressed to the people to be released next week after a special meeting of the Bishops' Conference.
The purpose of the campaign is to encourage lay people to be more involved in political and social life. The Bishops remind the people that there are facts which mark the history of a nation and no one can stand on the margin. “We are living a time which will have positive or negative consequences on the destiny of our country" the Bishops say and they say every citizen should be involved in the reform and that "every Catholic has a duty to take part. Not only with the opinion of a few but above all with conscious and responsible commitment on the part of all the laity". Because it is the laity who are called to "transform earthly realities with the message of the Gospel. The Christian is a citizen and he must act according to conscience and decide for the amendments he judges to be best".
The Commission encourages lay Catholics to seek information with regard to the reforms, discuss and assess them carefully before making a decision. The Bishops also call for prayers so that decisions may be taken in keeping with the principles of Catholic Social Doctrine. The urge people to take part in initiatives of formation offered in various parts of the country, including a workshop on the theme of participation in the Common Good, organised by the Justice and Peace Commission itself. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 10/10/2007; righe 26, parole 343)
