Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Caracas (Agenzia Fides) - “Called to live in Freedom” is the title of a statement issued by the Catholic Bishops of Venezuela in which they analyse a proposed Bill of Constitutional Reform, presented to the nation on 15 August, in order "illuminate, with a moral evaluation, judgement and decision on the proposed Reform which falls to the people of Venezuela". The Bishops express concern for the central point: "that Venezuela should change from the ‘democratic and social state of law and justice (Art. 2) of the present Constitution, to a ‘Socialist State’ (art. 16 of the proposed reform)". For the Bishops this "limits the freedom of Venezuelans, increases excessively the power of the state, eliminates decentralisation and puts under government control many spaces of civil life". According to the experience of other countries, with this system "the state and its government become oppressors of the people and of society, restricting personal freedom and religious expression, cause grave deterioration of the economy and produced widespread poverty". The proposed passing to a " Socialist State" the Bishops say "is contrary to the fundamental principles of the present Constitution and to a correct understanding of the individual and the state ".
Moreover "the new state power, ‘Popular Power’, is not voted and its promotion, organisation and registration, is the competence of the National Power". This “violates the right of association, putting it in the hands of the state which damages the democratic and elective character at all levels of government, foreseen by article 6 of the Constitution and takes power away from the people".
According to the Bishops the proposed reform "because of the radical and profound changes introduced in the structure of the state, goes beyond a Reform". Moreover "the proposed Reform excludes political and social sectors not in agreement with a Socialist State , restricts freedom and represents a retrocession in the progress of respect for human rights". The Bishops underline that, as "the proposed Reform violates the fundamental rights of the democratic system and of the person, threatening freedom and social harmony, it is morally unacceptable in the light of the Social Doctrine of the Church". At the end of the statement the Bishops call on the people to pray intensely for their country for the light of the Holy Spirit for all citizens in this difficult decision. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 22/10/2007; righe 28, parole 385)
