Summary
Two Venezuelan cardinals, Baltazar Porras and Diego Padrón, along with retired Archbishop Ovidio Pérez Morales, urged Catholic bishops to speak out for political prisoners’ freedom, an end to repression of free speech, and respect for the 2024 presidential election results. The letter was published on January 31st just before the Venezuelan bishops are scheduled to gather for their plenary assembly, which begins Wednesday. The authors of the letter stressed three non-negotiable principles: dignity of human person, validity of the Constitution, and popular sovereignty as a foundation for peace. They criticized the bishops’ conference’s lack of public statements since former dictator Nicolás Maduro was captured, instead calling for dialogue on positive goals that promote the common good and ensure stability within a constitutional framework. The letter aimed to influence discussions among the bishops amid uncertainty about Venezuela’s political direction.
Key Topics
Venezuela, Cardinals, Bishops
