Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Caracas (Fides Service) - With an opening discourse by Archbishop Baltazar E. Porras Cardozo, Archbishop of Mérida, the 82nd Plenary Assembly of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference July 7-13 opened in Caracas. Reflections, discussion and prayers will focus on national situations and programming of projects 2005.
In his address, Archbishop Porras Cardozo, who is also President of the Venezuelan Bishops Conference, underlined that “the referendum on the revocation of the presidential mandate is an history making experience of popular sovereignty and protagonism”. He urged all Venezuelans to take part in the referendum “as an exercise of conscience and responsible citizenship; evaluation of results and promises not fulfilled.” He also said that “a referendum on the revocation of the presidential mandate is not an ordinary election it is a legal means envisaged by the Constitution to call on the one in power to render an account of his activity”. He then stressed the need to decide which path would lead to peace and authentic development for Venezuelans: “We must oppose the idolatry of possession, of power and pleasure, not only in fidelity to our monotheistic faith but also in fidelity to human dignity”.
The President of the Bishops’ Conference stressed the need to eliminate intolerance and exclusion which prosper in the country and he said: “we Venezuelans must overcome division and polarisation which have provoked radical reciprocal mistrust ”. In this regard he said the referendum must be “transparent and credible, with the participation and support of international observers as privileged and impartial guarantors amidst a society polarised in opposing groups which mistrust each other”. Archbishop Porras Cardozo added that “without respect for human rights and an attitude of dialogue and harmony it is impossible to reach morally valid agreements”. Archbishop Porras also lamented recently approved laws which “annul the specific role of justice and leave the citizen at the mercy of the bureaucratic discretion of the state workers on duty: Do these laws aim to defend the citizen or rather to consolidate a precise social-political and ideological-cultural project?”. The Archbishop ended his intervention calling on those present to pray for peace and to encourage initiatives to promote peace. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 9/7/2004 - Righe 29; Parole 404).
