The bishops of Venezuela have released a strongly-worded statement in which they list a series of grave problems afflicting the people and express their concern for the “surprising indifference of government officials” in the face of these problems. The Bishops also highlighted the fact that more and more Venezuelans, from all levels of society, are emigrating in increasingly precarious conditions. They also make an urgent appeal to President Nicolas Maduro to reconsider his re-election bid and focus on tackling grave humanitarian concerns afflicting the people.
As reported by Vatican Radio, Holy Father Pope Francis remarked that “We are alarmed to see how the evils pointed out in our Pastoral Exhortation of January of this year have worsened: Hyperinflation has increased the general impoverishment of the population, with the decomposition of the quality of life of all. The general lack of electricity, water and gas services throughout the country makes life more and more difficult.”
The bishops of Venezuela conclude their appeal calling for a change in direction in order to take a different course from this saga of death, through the strength of faith and the power of hope urging those who believe in the living and Risen Christ to be courageous and to take responsibility in the knowledge that the last word does not belong to loneliness, suffering or hopelessness, but to God.
