Church in Venezuela demands release of minors jailed in election protests

The archbishop of Valencia and president of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference, Jesús González de Zárate, and the apostolic nuncio in Venezuela, Archbishop Alberto Ortega Martín. / Credit: Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference

Caracas, Venezuela, Oct 22, 2024 / 18:15 pm (CNA).

At the conclusion of the 45th Extraordinary Plenary Assembly of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference (CEV, by its Spanish acronym), the bishops published a statement that included an analysis of the current state of the country along with a demand that the government release thousands of detainees, including minors, who were arrested in the demonstrations following that country’s July 28 presidential election.

The assembly, which concluded Oct. 17 in Caracas, was led by Jesús González de Zárate, archbishop of Valencia and president of the CEV.

Extraordinary assemblies are convened when circumstances require it. The last one was held two years ago on April 26, 2022, when the protocol for the prevention of abuse in the Church was approved.

This year, the meeting aimed to analyze the situation in Venezuela and make pastoral decisions that respond to the emerging needs of the ecclesial community.

The bishops met with representatives of ecclesiastical, educational, and social institutions “to reflect on the national reality within a methodology that involves dialogue and discernment,” according to the CEV.

Under the title “The Truth Will Set You Free” (cf. Jn 8:31), the bishops reiterated their call to the Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE, by its Spanish acronym) “so that, in accordance with what is established in the constitution and the laws, it publishes in detail the results of the electoral process carried out on July 28 in which the will of the Venezuelan people for change was evident.”

Since the presidential election in which the CNE declared Nicolás Maduro president-elect, despite numerous irregularities and accusations of fraud by the opposition and numerous actors in the international community, the bishops have published up to five messages addressed to the country in which they emphasized that “the truth, even if sought to be hidden, or reduced to the opinion of a few, prevails” (cf. Mk 4:22).

“The presentation of the results is an essential step to maintain the citizens’ confidence in the vote and to recover the true meaning of politics. Only in this way can we move forward together toward the construction of a democratic Venezuela in peace,” the bishops’ statement adds.

The prelates sharply criticized the repression by the state security agencies against peaceful demonstrations as well as “arbitrary arrests and violations of human rights that occurred after the elections” and demanded the release of those detained, “among whom are minors.”

The country’s bishops say they feel challenged by the cry of the people and renewed their commitment to all those who suffer, accompanying them in prayer and the services provided by the Catholic Church through its different agencies. “We reaffirm our commitment to be at their side in these difficult times,” they said.

Finally, they called on people not to lose hope, looking to Jesus and promoting different prayer initiatives “to pray for peace and the well-being of Venezuela.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.