Religious procession in Caracas to pray for "end of hatred and violence"

www.vheadline.com Posted: Monday, February 17, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Four images of the Virgin Mary (Divina Pastora), Mystical Rose, Fatima and Our Lady of Pompeii visited Caracas have been held in a crusade for peace in Venezuela. Processions set out from the four corners of the capital to meet in the Eastern Highway for rosary, hymns and speeches.

Miranda State Governor’s Office and the Baruta Municipality organized the procession and rally. Judging from the number of tricolor flags and references to communism, it seems that the opposition dominated the event.

Father Pablo Fernandez set the tone by declaring that the march was against “hatred and violence … we must not be overcome by disappear and sadness … The Virgin’s power is in our hearts … it’s time to pray for Venezuela but it’s also a time to act.”

It is not certain whether the process received Venezuelan Episcopal Conference (CEV) approval but the tone was definitely reminiscent of erstwhile anti-Communist religious crusades.