Monsignor Porras dispels rumors of asylum and arrest warrants in Vatican Embassy

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Sunday, June 22, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Venezuelan media sources are speculating about the permanence of Venezuelan Episcopal Conference (CEV) president, Monsignor Baltazar Porras at the Nuncio Apostolic's residence in Caracas. 

Speaking to the media, Porras says the reason why he is staying at the Vatican Embassy is because he is recovering from a bout of pneumonia and the doctors ordered complete rest.

Dispelling rumors that he is seeking asylum, the Archbishop of Merida insists that he will be out by Monday and is not afraid of arrest for alleged civil rebellion on April 12, 2002. 

Another rumor sweeping media sources is that the government has put out an arrest warrant against Bishop of Coro, Monsignor Roberto Luckert for treason. 

Porras says he does not know where the rumors started. 

Attorney General Isaias Rodriguez brushes aside the rumors and denies that state prosecutors have requesting arrest warrants against members of the Catholic Church.  CEV general secretary Jose Luis Azuaje has confirmed that there are no arrest warrants either nationally or in Merida and wryly comments that the Church is waiting because "there could be surprises in these times." 

Movements have been detected inside conservative Church groups to heigthen tension in Church-government relations, especially after Foreign Minister Roy Chaderton Matos' unfortunate remarks about Christians a week ago. 

Venezuelan media simulators have published articles on the matter suggesting the government will clamp down on the Church. The latest is a piece entitled, "The Catholic Church: Hungry 1951-Venezuela 2003?" suggesting that Catholics should oppose a repeat performance. 

• Monsignor Porras also wrote a piece implicitly comparing events in Venezuela to Hitler's Germany.

These incidents would seem to tie in with an analysis suggesting the loony opposition is mounting another coup attempt said to revolve around early July with the military promotions.