The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference (CEV) argued that the releases of political prisoners will favor “the tranquility and harmony not only of the families and relatives of these people, but of the entire society.” The bishops also rejected “warlike speeches and actions,” as well as “attempts to appropriate” the next Venezuelan saints “to promote particular and partisan interests.”
The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference (CEV) requested a “measure of grace” that allows the release of political prisoners in the country, before the canonization of Dr. José Gregorio Hernández and Mother Superior Carmen Rendiles, the first Venezuelan saints.
In a pastoral letter, dated this Tuesday, October 7, the Venezuelan bishops pointed out that these canonizations – scheduled for October 19 – “cannot be reduced” only to gestures of joy or artistic and cultural tributes, but “must foster a deep reflection on the present and future of our country, in light of the virtues that these saints lived in depth.”
«It is a favorable occasion for the State authorities to dictate pardon measures that allow those imprisoned for political reasons to regain freedom. We consider that in this way the tranquility and harmony would be favored not only for the families and relatives of these people, but for the entire society,” the bishops noted in their letter.
According to the Penal Forum, as of September 29, there were 838 political prisoners throughout the country, including four teenagers and at least 80 people with serious health conditions.
Over the weekend, the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners, which brings together mothers, family members and activists, denounced the harassment and aggression of Chavista sympathizers after a religious activity in Caracas to ask for their release. The organization has requested the Public Ministry to investigate these events ex officio.
The Committee maintains a campaign and sent a letter to Pope Leo XIV to intercede with the Venezuelan authorities and release all those detained for political reasons.
On the other hand, the CEV indicated that if José Gregorio Hernández and mother Carmen Rendiles “were artisans of peace and hope,” their elevation to the altars should “lead us to work decisively so that this peace becomes present in the hearts of all Venezuelans.”
«War-mongering speeches and actions overshadow the deep meaning of canonization. The same happens with the attempts to appropriate his figure to promote particular and partisan interests,” the bishops stated, in relation to the military deployment that the United States maintains in the Caribbean and the militarization from the bases that the administration of Nicolás Maduro has activated in response.
It was also highlighted that the canonization of the first Venezuelan saints should motivate the improvement of the public health system, guaranteeing quality education and fair remuneration to teachers for their work.
*Journalism in Venezuela is carried out in a hostile environment for the press with dozens of legal instruments in place to punish the word, especially the laws “against hate”, “against fascism” and “against the blockade.” This content was written taking into consideration the threats and limits that, consequently, have been imposed on the dissemination of information from within the country.
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