AMERICA/VENEZUELA - Bishops’ Exhortation at the close of their Plenary Assembly: “We must say ‘no’ to death and violence and ‘yes’ to life and peace.”

Caracas (Agenzia Fides) - The Bishops of Venezuela have published a Pastoral Exhortation at the close of their Plenary Assembly, entitled: “United in Justice and Righteousness,” in which they express some of their concerns and proposals regarding the nation’s situation at this moment in time, with the goal of offering “an ethical and moral orientation for the discernment and proceeding of the faithful.”
Firstly, they mention the serious threats against life that are arising in the country, “which manifest the lack of respect for life from its beginnings; the perverse influence of drug-trafficking and consumption of narcotics; a spirit of indifference regarding our customs, even reaching the point of corruption of children, youth , and adolescents in recreation areas and educational centers; human trafficking for prostitution and exploitation.” The Bishops see that the cause of all these problems is rooted above all in a profound moral crisis. One of the “most serious problems that Venezuelans face is that of physical, legal, and economic insecurity,” which “weakens the hope of a people that in the past has been known for its respect for the lives of others.” This situation was also denounced by the Bishops 7 years ago and has now worsened due to “the lack of effective policies on public security that guarantee social peace and the right to life for all persons,” and the astonishing rise in the number of kidnappings and retention of innocent persons, especially on the border zones.
Thus, the Bishops ask that “whomever is entrusted with security of the citizens, take up their responsibility and proceed with prompt and firm decision in resolving the problem of insecurity, which has become the number 1 concern of the Venezuelan people.” They also ask the national government to make all possible efforts “in obtaining the release of all those who are currently being held hostage.” They ask that every effort be made on all levels in “eradicating the terrible trafficking of human beings.” “We must say ‘no’ to death and violence and ‘yes’ to life and peace,” the Bishops say.
Another issue that they address is the problem of education in the country, recalling that quality education is a right for all people. “Our people have always valued the education offered in Catholic schools,” the Exhortation reads. Thus, they show their concern in light of the “difficulties that arise in getting official and competent organizations to honor established funding, especially in the annual quota for allotting the obligatory salaries for the staff.” They also make reference to the threat that this entails for Catholic and private educational institutions in the area of budgeting, in the need to raise the cost of tuition, which in turn implies that many parents will no longer be able to afford a Christian education for their children. “The educational authorities should foster dialogue with the Catholic educational organizations, so as to reach permanent solutions for the good of thousands of students that attend these schools,” the Bishops explain.
As regards the political scene, the Bishops note the tension present in the country, “which is not healthy for the important upcoming elections.” Thus, “what is needed is dialogue, respect for others and their rights, and a legal process that does not allow the procedure to be manipulated in any way.”
They remind the candidates and main political figures of their responsibility in this electoral process, as “more than simply political positions, what is at stake are the essential values of democracy, such as: pluralism, freedom, honesty, justice, and peace.” They also ask that the National Electoral Council comply with its duty of “guaranteeing a clean procedure, easy access, respect for and immediate publication of the results, as expression of the will of the people, placing no other interests - whether they be group, individual, ideological, or of any other genre - in its way.” They also ask that there may be an authentic separation of powers, guaranteeing the full reign of democracy.”
“Our people want life, a dignified life. This is obtained with attitudes and policies that promote the acknowledgement of the dignity of the human person, human values, peace, a respect for differences, sincere dialogue, and openness to others,” the Exhortation concludes. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 11/7/2008)