A group of people belonging to pro-government groups physically and verbally attacked relatives of political prisoners and faithful who attended the mass of thanksgiving for the canonization of San José Gregorio Hernández and Santa Carmen Rendiles which was held this Saturday at the Central University of Venezuela,
“Making themselves believers, The aggressors hit, pushed, insulted and snatched belongings from those of us who joined this mass. to pray for the health, freedom and rights of all people unjustly detained for political reasons in Venezuela,” the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners denounced in X.
He added that during the celebration of the Feast of Holiness—called in all the parishes and communities of the country as a gesture of faith, unity and hope that brings holiness to every corner—, State intelligence officers photographed and recorded the gathered faithful“in a clear intimidating action.”
“This type of practices, typical of authoritarian regimes, violates the right to religious freedom and seeks to sow fear among those who gather with faith to raise prayers for justice and the dignity of our country,” he added in the text.
The committee finally reaffirmed its faith and commitment to freedom, justice and truth in Venezuela and affirmed that it will continue to ask Pope Leo XIV for protection.
In an emotional act of celebration and joy for the first Venezuelan saints, authorities, professors and students gathered in the Covered Plaza of the UCV, with the presence of the Academic Vice-Rector María Fátima Garcés, the Administrative Vice-Rector José Balbino León and the Secretary Corina Aristimuño.
“This mass that we have organized with great love from the Central University of Venezuela, because of the emotion that all Ucevistas feel that José Gregorio Hernández, our student, our professor, our researcher, is a saint. In addition, we also celebrate that mother Carmen Rendiles is also a saint. For us, nothing of great pride comes to us.” This was expressed by María Fátima Garcés, Academic Vice-Rector of the UCV.
Feast of Holiness at the UCV
For his part, Ariel Pérez, general secretary of the Federation of University Centers of the (FCU-UCV), highlighted that the canonization of José Gregorio Hernández is a reason for the ucevistas to celebrate as they are part of the university’s graduates and an example for students to follow.
“The university students and the Central University of Venezuela have many reasons to celebrate. We simply have the main one, that José Gregorio Hernández was a student who was trained in this house of study, he was a professor, he was an academic who gave his life to the university, to the service of all Venezuelans,” he commented.
