Venezuela bishops Archives

Bishops say Venezuela aims to install ‘military dictatorship’

Venezuelans have endured three years of a deep economic recession that has brought with it shortages of basic food and medicine on store shelves. The country’s political opposition and the bishops have denounced a plan by President Nicolas Maduro to draft a new constitution for the country as illegitimate and illegal.

Pope “very concerned” about violence in Venezuela

Archbishop Aldo Giordano, the papal representative to Venezuela, said Pope Francis expressed to him his solidarity for the victims of violence in the country’s ongoing political crisis, especially young people and their families. “He always says we have to help Venezuela,” the diplomat said.

Vatican diplomat decries attacks against Church in Venezuela
- Global Church, Vatican
- June 21, 2017
Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Vatican’s representative to the United Nations, has reiterated the Vatican’s insistence that Venezuela needs to hold elections, while drawing attention to the attacks Church institutions have suffered from elements affiliated with the regime of President Nicolas Maduro.
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Venezuela’s bishops say Pope has their backs in tensions with Maduro
- Global Church, Vatican
- June 8, 2017
Archbishop Diego Padrón, President of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference, said Thursday after a meeting with Pope Francis that the pontiff informed them they have his “full confidence.” The phrase appeared to be a response to efforts by Socialist President Nicolas Maduro to pit the bishops, who have been sharply critical of his economic and political policies, against the pope.
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Pope Francis has a plan for Venezuela: Give it time to work
- Commentary, Vatican
- May 19, 2017
Pope Francis is appalled by the situation in Venezuela, and the conduct of President Nicolás Maduro. The pope has developed a coordinated strategy in which the Vatican and Latin America’s bishops are speaking in unison. Those who think Francis is not doing enough are just serving the interests of the Maduro regime.
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