Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Caracas (Agenzia Fides) - “We, the Bishops forming the Presidential Council of the Bishops' Conference, wish to express our profound concern for the attack which took place early yesterday morning on the Apostolic Nunciature in Caracas, and for the other manifestations of violence that have been taking place recently in our country.” This is what was written in a statement issued by the Venezuelan Bishops' Conference following the attack on the country's Nunciature.
At 5:30am on January 19, the See of the Apostolic Nunciature in Venezuela was attacked by a group called “La Piedrita,” that launched six tear-gas canisters and flyers expressing support for the revolutionary government of President Chavez and despising the Church and especially Bishop Ubaldo Santana, President of the Bishops' Conference and Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino, Archbishop of Caracas. Although the bombs fell inside the Nunciature, neither important damages nor injuries were reported. This is now the 6th attack on the Apostolic Nunciature. The previous episodes included the launching of grenades that damaged the infrastructure; two bombs that did not explode; and pellet bombs launched from moving vehicles.
The Bishops, in their statement, denounce the fact that “recently, other acts of violence have been committed against the diplomatic representation, without any satisfactory response being made.” That said, the Prelates exhort authorities to “make necessary investigations so as to clarify information and establish who is responsible for these actions.”
They also recall the appeal made by the Venezuelan Bishops in their most recent Pastoral Exhortation, “The situation of the country and ethical renewal” (see Fides 14/1/2009) in which they call for an elimination of “language of hate and acts of violence...with the universal commitment to create a national climate of peaceful coexistence and solidarity. The national authorities have the obligation to give an example of tolerance and guarantee general peace.”
They conclude their statement by reaffirming their support for the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Giacinto Berloco, “in his important task as representative of the Holy Father before the Church and the Venezuelan Government.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 21/1/2009)
