A man and his daughter overlook a neighbourhood in Caracas, Venezuela, March 25. Venezuela's opposition party hopes Pope Francis will media discussions with the government to find a solution to the country's deepening economic crisis.
A man and his daughter overlook a neighbourhood in Caracas, Venezuela, March 25. Venezuela's opposition party hopes Pope Francis will media discussions with the government to find a solution to the country's deepening economic crisis. CNS photo/Miguel Gutierrez, EPA

Venezuela's opposition asks Pope to mediate dialogue with government

By  Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News Service
  • September 29, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Venezuela's opposition party pleaded with Pope Francis to mediate discussions with President Nicolas Maduro's government to find a solution to the current crisis that has left most of the country without food or basic necessities.

Despite the "painful circumstances" of hunger, lack of medicine and violence, the United Democratic Panel "is not moved by a desire for vengeance but rather of love," said Jesus Torrealba, executive secretary of the opposition party, in a Sept. 26 letter addressed to the pope.

"We seek your respected moral authority so that your wise counsel illuminates us and helps push forward the talks between the national government and the democratic alternative," he wrote.

In a letter to Ernesto Samper Pizano, secretary general of the Union of South American Nations, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, had said the Holy See would assist with mediation if an official request was made by both the government and the opposition.

"Thus the Venezuelan government and the opposition will be primarily responsible for the aforementioned request and will be more receptive to receive eventual suggestions so that they may move forward in a lasting and fruitful way," Cardinal Parolin wrote Aug. 12.

Responding to the cardinal's letter, Torrealba formally requested the Holy See's intervention. Only through dialogue, he said, can the country find a solution to the country's social and economic woes as well as an "electoral solution to the humanitarian crisis."

"Today, the majority of Venezuelans aspire for change in model, system and government, but they also hope this change will produce peace," Torrealba wrote. "The national constitution clearly establishes what the democratic, peaceful and electoral path is that will lead to those changes."

That path, he added, includes the right of Venezuelans to hold a referendum on the president's term, a right guaranteed by the country's constitution.

Torrealba urged Pope Francis to help mediate discussions with Maduro's government, adding that the country is at "a pivotal moment in this crisis."

"It is a time in which your guidance and wise words can be key in overcoming mistrust and we can -- as a civilized society -- find the path toward peace and reconciliation for Venezuelans," Torrealba said.

Tagged under:

Related items

More in this category: « Logic of weapons, self-interest wreak havoc on Mideast, Pope says Chaldean Catholic bishops call for peace in Iraq, Syria »

Please support The Catholic Register

Unlike many media companies, The Catholic Register has never charged readers for access to the news and information on our website. We want to keep our award-winning journalism as widely available as possible. But we need your help.

For more than 125 years, The Register has been a trusted source of faith-based journalism. By making even a small donation you help ensure our future as an important voice in the Catholic Church. If you support the mission of Catholic journalism, please donate today. Thank you.

DONATE