The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference (CEV) expressed solidarity with Cardinal Baltazar Porras, after the authorities prevented him from arriving in Isnotú, Trujillo state, to preside over the mass of thanksgiving for the sanctity of José Gregorio Hernández
The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference (CEV) expressed its solidarity with Cardinal Baltazar Porras after the “incidents that prevented him from moving” to the state of Trujillo, specifically to Isnotú, the hometown of San José Gregorio Hernández, to preside over the mass for his birth and recent canonization.
Through a statement published this Sunday, October 26, the church deeply regretted the situation and recalled the “fundamental and tireless role that Cardinal Porras has played in the processes that have led to the canonization of Saint José Gregorio Hernández” and Mother Carmen Rendiles.
In that same sense, the CEV made an “urgent” call to all Venezuelans “not to use the symbols of faith, popular devotion or the figures” of saints “for proselytizing or partisan purposes.”
*Read also: Authorities veto Cardinal Porras’ visit to Isnotú due to “danger” of his presence
He added that the use of these elements for such purposes “is not only inappropriate, but it tarnishes the deep joy and authentic faith” of Venezuelans.
«The holiness of Saint José Gregorio Hernández and Mother Carmen Rendiles is a heritage of the entire Venezuelan people and a reason for pride that should bring us together in charity and hope. We trust that devotion to our new saints will inspire us to work for reconciliation and peace in our beloved nation,” added the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference.
On October 25, Cardinal Baltazar Porras reported that the authorities prevented him from reaching Isnotú, both by air and by land, despite various attempts. He said that he did not get a concrete answer as to what was happening, but he warned that he received messages telling him that in the place where the mass would be celebrated there would be attempted riots and that his presence in Trujillo was a “danger.”
Given the situation and the militarization around the cardinal, he decided to return to Caracas.
The complaint occurs less than a week after the cardinal offered a reflection on the Venezuelan crisis in Rome, on October 19, the day of the canonization of Dr. José Gregorio Hernández and Sister Carmen Rendiles. During a speech, Porras remembered the political prisoners and stated that Venezuela is going through “a morally unacceptable situation”as the CEV has reiterated on various occasions.
Relatives of political prisoners who were at a mass in honor of José Gregorio Hernández last Saturday were attacked by alleged groups affiliated with the ruling party.
*Read also: Relatives of political prisoners were attacked at the UCV during mass for new saints
*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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