Venezuela cardinal calls for peace amid escalating violence

Last updated on: March 11, 2014 at 6:05 pm by CNA Daily News

Venezuela cardinal calls for peace amid escalating violence 2014-03-11T18:05:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Caracas, Venezuela, Mar 11, 2014 / 12:05 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Cardinal Jorge Urosa Sabino of Caracas again urged peace amid increasing conflict in Venezuela, where at least 20 people have been killed in student protests over the past several weeks.

“We wish to reiterate our call to all the inhabitants of Caracas, regardless of their political sympathies, to live together in peace,” he said in a March 7 statement.

Student protests began to spark across the nation's cities early last month but escalated when three people were killed. The National Guard has been criticized for an unnecessarily strong response to demonstrators, who are urging greater protection of freedom of speech, better security and an end to goods shortages.

The cardinal said a “serious, impartial and objective investigation” should take place to determine those responsible for the deaths of protestors. “We deplore these deaths and we offer our condolences to the family members and friends of those who have died since the beginning of the conflict.”

Recalling the statements made by the leadership of the Venezuelan Bishops' Conference in February, Cardinal Urosa joined in the call for “dialogue between the diverse sectors: students, followers of the opposition, pro-government supporters and the National Government, which oversees the state security forces.”

“In those statements, in addition to asserting the legitimate and constitutional right of students, of young people and of citizens in general to protest and to engage in peaceful demonstrations, the bishops highlighted the need for the government to listen to the demands of the protestors and to meet their just demands by effectively responding to the reasons for the protests.”

Cardinal Urosa condemned the attacks against protestors, “presumably by state security officials or by armed civilians, as well as alleged torture and violations of the rights of those detained.”

“We also reject the deaths caused by roadblocks presumably put in place by protestors, and the disproportionate use of force in repressive actions, which has lead to some deaths and a large number of wounded,” he said.

The cardinal lamented that repressive actions “have continued, despite the dialogue initiated on Feb. 26 in the Peace Conference proposed by the President of the Republic.”

“What is needed now is serenity, the collaboration of all citizens to foster harmony and to avoid violent acts that threaten the public order or endanger the lives of persons, as well as real willingness on the part of the government to resolve the current crisis.”

“We invoke the help of God upon our beloved Venezuela, and we exhort all Catholics, regardless of their political sympathies, to set aside any negative sentiment,” he said.

Americas

Previous Post

March 11, 2014

Vatican celebrates Pope's anniversary with virtual book

Next Post

March 11, 2014 Global youth garner thanks for Pope on first anniversary

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Peter Isaiah Jesus John the Baptist