Venezuelan Bishops break with the Revolution and what they call its totalising vocation

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Thursday, May 01, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference (CEV)  has issued a strongly-worded document closing its annual Easter holiday assembly indicating its total opposition to the Chavez Frias administration.

The bishops say vast sectors of Venezuelan people are concerned about efforts to implant a so-called "process of change," "project" or "revolution with a progressive totalising political, socio-economic and ideological-cultural vocation ... people do not understand what is the constitutional basis and democratic legitimacy of the Bolivarian Revolution." 

• While the bishops say they agree with the need for deep change in Venezuela, they add that it has to be in the right direction so that all citizens can share the project.  

President Chavez Frias is given short shrift for "constant violent language that has divided Venezuelans" since he took office in 1999. The bishops complain that the Catholic Church as an institution has suffered disqualifications, calumnies and defamation and confirm their intention to continue their works of charity and service, preaching the truth whatever happens.