Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Caracas (Agenzia Fides) - “Respect for religious freedom, which must be maintained and promoted worldwide as a fundamental human right” was called for by the Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino, Archbishop of Caracas, during the Eucharistic celebration for the 58 Syrian Catholic victims, including two priests, who were killed in the Cathedral of Baghdad on 31 October by Muslim extremists. According to the statement sent by the Archdiocese of Caracas to Fides, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Pietro Parolin; the Superior of the Lebanese Maronite Order, Agustín Saab; Bishop Iwannis Louis Awad for the Syrian Catholic Church; Bishop Georges Kahale Zuhairaty for the Greek-Melkite Church; Mons. José Dib for the Orthodox Church; and Bishop Orlando Guerrero for the Anglican Church attended the Mass celebrated by Cardinal Urosa on the evening of Sunday, 28 November in the Maronite Church of Saint Charbel in Caracas. Members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Venezuela, especially from Arab countries and the Middle East also attended.
After the Mass the Archbishop of Caracas also expressed his sorrow “for the tragedy that exists in Venezuela, particularly in Caracas, due to heavy rains that have hit the country, expressing “solidarity with the victims” and “condolences to those who lost their loved ones”. Cardinal Urosa launched an appeal to solve the housing problem in Venezuela, as most of the victims lived in “poor houses not meeting legal requirements.” In this regard, he launched an urgent appeal to the authorities “to solve the housing problem in Caracas and throughout Venezuela.” Caritas Venezuela is collecting non-perishable food, household items, clothing, medicine and other aid for financial support and to continue to help the Venezuelans affected by the rains in the various communities. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 30/11/2010)
