AMERICA/VENEZUELA - "The path to reconciliation and peace. The country needs a leadership which is authentic and responsible ": Bishops' statement in view of Revocatory Referendum on 15 August

Caracas (Fides Service) - "Referendum, Conscience and Responsibility" is the title of a statement issued by the Catholic Bishops of Venezuela at the end of a plenary assembly in Caracas 7 to 12 July, focussed mainly on a Presidential Revocatory Referendum scheduled for 15 August. The Bishops say the referendum must be seen “not as a war to eliminate the adversary but as an unprecedented opportunity to evaluate the administration, create the possibility of starting peaceful coexistence, respect and integrated differences ". Taking part in the consultation “is an unavoidable duty of conscience and responsibility”.
In the statement the Bishops appeal to the different protagonists of the Referendum: all Venezuelans should participate with serenity, civility and liberty; the National Electoral Council should reject all temptation to use force or fraud which violate civil dignity and could cause contest and even violence; the Republic should support the referendum process with impartiality and professional efficiency, guaranteeing participants security and honesty; political leaders should avoid unnecessary confrontation and abstain from all political and ideological manipulation, acting according to truth; the Bishops remind the media of their duty to communicate information with objectivity, truth and balance; they ask international observers to continue to support the entire electoral process.
Besides this opportunity to help Venezuela find a way out of the crisis, the Bishops say the path to peace for which all citizens long is reconciliation which implies conversion of heart and mind and a disposition to live and act in freedom and in truth because "a country which is divided is paralysed and goes to ruin ". The Bishops say "Venezuela hopes and demands that its leaders may come to an agreement on a common basis project for the country. The country needs a leadership which is authentic, responsible and active". The message ends with a call for prayers, especially during the national Novena to Our Lady 6 to 14 August, that the Referendum will be peaceful and serene. (R.G.) (Agenzia Fides 14/7/2004 - Righe: 27; Parole: 363)