Bishops condemn violence and call Venezuelans to “reflection and peace” during crisis

Caracas, Venezuela, Mar 4, 2004 / 22:00 pm

The Bishops Conference of Venezuela is calling for an immediate end to the outbreak of violence in the last several days, exhorting the population to “sensibly look” at what is happening to the “fractured” national society and to look for pathways to harmony and peace.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the Conference condemned the “use of violence, by any of the groups in question, as a way of resolving conflicts.  Anarchy and repression must be rejected, and they serve no just cause, resulting only in suffering and death.”

The bishops made a dramatic call to “the government, political leaders and all citizens to reflect upon the events of these days.”

“What kind of a future are we building like this?  As bishops we appeal to the majority of our leaders and people, who are believers, so that good judgment will lead us away from the choice of violence and will make us seek pathways of harmony and peace,” the bishops said.

The bishops also commented on the latest decisions of the National Electoral Council concerning a recall referendum on President Chavez, recalling that the Council “is obligated to guarantee and facilitate the exercise of the will of the people, regarding the call for recall referendums in conformity with the Constitution and the law.”

They also expressed their “conviction of the need to facilitate a peaceful, constitutional and electoral outcome, knowing that the Venezuelan people firmly desire peace.”

Lastly, the bishops invited “Christians, Catholics and all men and women of good will to offer up prayers and organize special celebrations for peace and understanding among all Venezuelans.”