Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Caracas (Agenzia Fides) - The Archbishop of Caracas, Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino, called for the respect for political prisoners. The note sent to Fides by local sources reported that during the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Venerable José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros, held on Sunday, October 26th, the Cardinal urged Venezuelan authorities to respect political prisoners in the country.
In this regard he cited among others, the leader of the "Voluntad Popular" Party, Leopoldo Lopez, the mayors Enzo Scarano and Daniel Ceballos, and the Commissioner Salvatore Lucchese, who are detained in the Green Branch (Los Teques) detention cente,r "defendants must be put on trial, they are ill-treated in prison and now threatened to be transferred somewhere else", said the Cardinal.
"Today we are faced with the example of a great personality like Dr. Hernandez Cisneros - said the Archbishop of Caracas - while let us exalt the values of humanity, we must also have respect for people who may be political opponents". The possibility to transfer political prisoners to another detention center was also expressed by Lopez’ wife through social networks.
José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros (1864 -1919) was a doctor, scientist and teacher. He had to stop his path to priesthood twice because of illness, so he entered the Franciscan Third Order. Fervent believer, he dedicated his life to the brothers and sisters in need. Venezuelans already consider him a saint. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 28/10/2014)
