Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Caracas (Agenzia Fides) – The Catholic Church in Venezuela, through the words of Archbishop Roberto Lückert of Coro, has spoken out about the situation of the country, reminding Venezuelans of their responsibility for the forthcoming parliamentary elections on September 26.
"It is my duty to launch an appeal to correct the direction in which the country is going and fight the evils present in Venezuelan democracy: corruption, privilege, moral deterioration, waste, etc..," Archbishop Luckert wrote, complaining about the situation regarding the public services and denouncing the growing number of young people leaving the country in search of a better life.
In the letter, a copy of which was sent to Fides, Bishop Lückert, warned: "We're headed towards a clash of Venezuelans versus Venezuelans" and he continues: "The Church cannot remain indifferent to the historical dilemma of nations in which some values and principles of man and society are seriously threatened."
The text therefore refers to some aspects of the social and political situation of the country. "If we look at some elements of the national scene, we see that our country is bleeding from top to bottom," and citing the message of the Bishops of Venezuela last January, he said: "It is with great sorrow that we witness the increase of violence in Venezuela's society. Every day there is a higher rate of murders, which places Venezuela among the countries in the world with the highest number of deaths by homicide." The Archbishop noted that this reality is increasing "without seeing any structural solutions on the part of public policy makers on a national and regional level."
The Archbishop of Coro expresses his great regret for the situation of the youth: "a large number of young Venezuelans, who have worked for years to prepare themselves intellectually and technically, are forced to leave the country in search of job opportunities in other nations." The 5-page document, published on the feast of Our Lady of Coromoto, September 11, has had wide repercussions in the local press as it clearly describes the situation there. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 13/09/2010)
