AMERICA/VENEZUELA - Church in Venezuela given credibility and trust from citizens

Caracas (Agenzia Fides) – The Information Office of the Archdiocese of Caracas issued a statement of solidarity and support for Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino, Archbishop of Caracas, after the insults uttered against him by President Chavez during the celebration for the beginning of the bicentennial anniversary of the nation's independence.
Recalling the Gospel of the Beatitudes, especially concerning the operators of peace (Mt 5:9), all the clergy of Caracas expresses feelings of pain and categorically rejected the way in which the President of Venezuela has used the media to offend the Archbishop of Caracas and a Cardinal of the Catholic Church.
"As Archbishop, he has the right, indeed, the sacred duty to guide Catholics on religious and moral matters and values that affect the social and political situation of our country," the statement said. And the text continues: "We reject the claim of the President on the internal decisions of the Church. The Holy Father has complete autonomy to appoint diocesan bishops in the various locations around the world." The text, which ends with a renewal of faith and communion of priests in and with their pastor, was signed by Father Miguel Acevedo, Secretary of the Council of Priests, on behalf of all priests of the Archdiocese.
The vice-president of the Bishops' Conference, Bishop Baltazar Porras, said in an interview with a local radio station that "the words of the Head of State deserve to be reviewed carefully. We need to look at the real situation of the country, where there is poverty, violence suffered by the Venezuelan people at all levels, take a look at all the kinds of corruption that are coming to light, and see the desire to cover-up the real problems. The Cardinal has said nothing more thatn what we have already written in the various documents from the Episcopal Conference. Now, he has only appealed to the people of Venezuela in building a society open to all.” The offensive words of President Chavez came in reaction to an interview granted by Cardinal Urosa Savino to the “El Universale” newspaper on Sunday, June 27, in which among other things the Archbishop said that the country is on the road to dictatorship and ruin due to the mismanagement of the government.
The vice-president of the Bishops' Conference said that this should not be cause for hatred or insults, but for brotherhood, to allow us to live with serenity and joy, and added that the best response is that of the people of Venezuela, who once again show their "credibility and trust" in the Catholic Church and her authorities. Both the press release of the priests, as well as the full interview with the Cardinal, can be found on the website of the Archdiocese of Caracas. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 07/07/2010)