Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Caracas (Agenzia Fides) - “Holy Week, in which we celebrate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, is an extraordinary time for spiritual renewal that invites us to strengthen our commitment to Christian values, which are fundamental in the coexistence of Venezuela's society.” This is the exhortation made at the beginning of the Pastoral Letter from the Venezuelan Bishops' Conference, in which the Bishops offer several reflections on the present situation of the country.
First of all, the Bishops show their concern for the increase in violence and insecurity that has “affected the entire nation, causing innocent bloodshed among our people.”
The gangs, kidnappings, killings, drug-trafficking, and smuggling all continue, in fact, and many times the victims of this violence do not know where to turn for real protection. “These are grave offenses whose cry reach heaven and that violate the basic rights of citizens.” The Bishops are also concerned with the “environment that promotes drastic social inequality and the concentration of power in the executive branch that presents a grave threat to democracy.”
In light of this situation, they exhort all the authorities to “listen to the petitions from the various sectors of society, asking God to help them carry out their serious responsibilities with justice, freedom of conscience, honesty, and transparency, placing respect for the dignity of the human person at the heart of their actions, without letting themselves be led by personal interests or biases.” They also mention that those who exercise judicial power “have the obligation of assuring the detained and accused, in every stage of the process, every right guaranteed in the National Constitution, especially the right to due process, the right to defense, and to impartial judgement.”
And addressing all the faithful, they remind them that this special time that we are called to live, is a unique opportunity to “rid ourselves of our apathy and indifference, renew our faith, and place God above all else, placing ourselves at others' service, especially at the service of those most in need.” In order to transform society, the text says, they consider it most necessary that “the values that form a part of the moral and ethical patrimony of our people- such as mutual respect, solidarity, and tolerance – be recuperated.” The statement concludes with an appeal to “learn heartfelt forgiveness and become merciful and tolerant people, to return to the path of unity that we have lost sight of.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 7/4/2009)
