Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Caracas (Agenzia Fides) – “The great majority of our people desires Venezuela to be ‘a home for all’ the dream of those who founded our Republic: a home of acceptance, tolerance, peace and brotherhood. One great family in a spirit of freedom and respect with a project for the nation in which all are actors and where human rights are respected to the full.” These are the first lines of a final statement issued by the 94th Ordinary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Venezuela, held in Caracas 7 - 12 July. A copy of the statement was sent to Fides. “However, in contradiction to these desires, we see widespread violence and corruption in many sectors of life, especially insecurity, violent death and scandalous waste of food and medicines ” (see Fides 23.06.2010).
The Bishops' statement clearly reflects the situation in Venezuela: “Ideological and political polarisation of different actors does not help create a favourable environment. We expect national leaders and officials to be exemplary in their statements with regard to the respect which all citizens deserve. We condemn repeated and unjust attacks by the President on individuals and institutions, which offend religious sentiments of various confessions ” (see Fides 07.07.2010).
A fundamental part of the statement deals with the next elections in Venezuela to be held at the end of September: “Given the necessity to guarantee every effort to strengthen our democracy, we consider the coming parliamentary elections of fundamental importance. The vote will be a precious opportunity to reaffirm our faith in the authentic sovereignty of the people, in a spirit of openness to plurality of thought, idea and action. We exhort each and every citizen to take an active part in the election to choose representatives of the National Assembly, by freely and responsibly exercising the right to vote on 26 September. Voting is a duty, a serious Christian and civic duty of conscience”. The Bishops end the statement with a call to support the weaker members of society: “we Venezuelans must have hope and trust. The greater the obstacles the greater still must be our efforts for reconciliation, peace and solidarity, especially towards the poorest citizens ”. The statement, dated 12 July 2010, is signed by all the Bishops of Venezuela. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 15/07/2010)
