The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners requested this Wednesday that the next canonization of José Gregorio Hernández and Carmen Rendiles becomes symbol of reconciliation and justice in Venezuela, and that motivates the release of those detained for political reasons.
In a statement, the organization expressed its hope that the religious event will be “an opportunity to heal the country’s wounds and build a true and lasting peace, through justice and freedom for political prisoners.”
“We deeply appreciate the call for this canonization inspire gestures of justice such as judicial measures that restore the freedom of our people, who today suffer unjustly in prison,” he points out.
The committee, made up of family, friends and advocates of those imprisoned for political reasons, recalled that Hernández and mother Rendiles were promoters of peace and hope, Therefore, its sanctification should serve as a guide for the national reunion.
“That peace blossoms when the cry of the victims is heardwhen a hand is extended to those who have been separated from their families and when the dignity of adolescents deprived of their liberty, the sick at risk and the innocent who “have suffered torture or forced disappearances,” stood out.
The Clippve thanked the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference for its “ecclesial clamor” and extended its message to Pope Leo XIV, to whom it expressed its desire for the ceremony to be held. “in a spirit of freedom, with open doors, hugs restored and rights guaranteed.”
He requested that “the light of the first Venezuelan saints illuminate the path to freedom” for all victims of repression.
The Church asks for measures of grace for political prisoners
The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference on Tuesday he asked for “measures of grace”” that allow the release of political prisoners on the occasion of the canonization of José Gregorio Hernández and Carmen Rendiles.
“We also consider that it is a favorable opportunity for the State authorities to dictate grace measures that allow people to regain their freedom to those imprisoned for political reasons,” the CEV stated in a pastoral letter on the occasion of the canonization of Blesseds Hernández and Rendiles.
In the opinion of the Church in Venezuela, this measure would favor the tranquility and harmony of family and friends of political prisoners, as well as society.
“If Dr. Hernández and Mother Carmen Rendiles were artisans of peace and hope, their canonization It must lead us to work decisively so that peace becomes present in the hearts of all Venezuelans and to promote signs of hope. in tune with the proposals of the Jubilee Year,” he added.
The CEV indicated that “warlike actions” overshadow the meaning of canonization. “The same happens with attempts to appropriate his figure to promote particular and partisan interests,” said the episcopate.
He said that the canonization of the first two Venezuelan saints should encourage “deep reflection” about the present and future of the South American country.
“It is a strong encouragement for all Venezuelans to meet and appreciate each other as children of the same country and brothers among us; to defend the life and dignity of the human person from conception to natural death; to accept our differences as a wealth and build a better society in mutual respect, coexistence and the constant search for peace”, held.
