Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Caracas (Agenzia Fides) - "National deterioration is remarkable. Next to a lack of raw materials, due to the disastrous economic policy, the present moment is characterized by huge corruption in government circles, the government's inability to curb crime, excessive repression of political dissent, growing popular discontent, uncertainty about the fate of the Country". This is what the President of the Episcopal Conference of Venezuela (CEV), His Exc. Mgr. Diego Padron, Archbishop of Cumana said in the opening speech of the Plenary Ordinary Assembly of CEV, which takes place in Caracas.
According to a note sent to Fides by the Pontifical Missionary Societies of Venezuela, during his speech Mgr. Padron also spoke of Pope Francis visiting Latin America for the second time and of the beatification of Mgr. Oscar Arnulfo Romero, an authentic "priest and bishop of the poor".
Besides an analysis of the national reality, the Bishops have the Third National Meeting of the Young (ENAJÓ) on their agenda, to be held in Barquisimeto on 8 and 9 August, and the National Pastoral Assembly, next November.
Meeting with journalists after the inauguration of the Assembly, Mgr. Padron said among other things that "the parliamentary elections of 6 December next may open the door to political and social reconstruction of the country and represent the fall of the wall of polarization and of intolerance". (CE) (Agenzia Fides 07/07/2015)
