Venezuelan bishops denounce latest attacks on Pope's representative

Caracas, Venezuela, Jan 22, 2009 / 21:04 pm

The president of the Bishops’ Conference of Venezuela has issued a statement in response to an attack against the Apostolic Nunciature on Monday, calling for the “eradication of the language of hatred and acts of violence,” as well as for greater dedication to the “creation of a national climate of peaceful coexistence and solidarity.”

The statement came after the pro-Chavez terrorist group “La Piedrita” attacked the Nunciature in what was the sixth such attack on the Church.  The bishops expressed their “deep concern over the attack against the office of the Apostolic Nunciature in Caracas and over other manifestations of violence that have recently occurred in our country.”

As a result of the violent acts that have been carried out against the Nunciature, and that police have yet to address satisfactorily, the bishops demanded that “the competent authorities carry out the necessary steps to investigate these acts and apprehend those responsible.”

The bishops also reiterated their call to “eradicate the language of hatred and acts of violence and for everyone to commit ourselves without delay to the creation of a national climate of peaceful coexistence and solidarity.”

“The national leaders have the obligation to be an example of tolerance and to guarantee civil peace,” the prelates added.

The bishops concluded by expressing their support for the Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela, Archbishop Giacinto Berloco.