By Gina Christian
OSV News
The Catholic bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean have expressed their pastoral closeness to the people of Venezuela, following the Jan. 3 U.S. military intervention that saw the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and the announcement of a temporary takeover of the country before Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, was sworn in as interim president.
In a letter signed by its leadership, the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council, known as CELAM, shared what they called a “simple, fraternal and hopeful” message marking the Epiphany of the Lord — an event that reveals “a God who is close to his people, who walks with them, illuminates the darkness, and opens new paths even when everything seems uncertain.”
In their letter, dated Jan. 5, the CELAM bishops said they “share and embrace with a profound pastoral sense the words of Pope Leo XIV, who spoke about the situation in Venezuela and reminded us that the good of the people must always be above any other consideration.”
Following his Jan. 4 Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo said he was “following the developments in Venezuela” with “deep concern.”
The pope had stressed that “the good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over every other consideration,” calling for “the overcoming of violence” and “the pursuit of paths of justice and peace,” while ensuring Venezuela’s sovereignty, constitutional rule of law, and safeguarding of human and civil rights.
Pope Leo also urged “special attention to the poorest who are suffering because of the difficult economic situation,” while invoking the intercession of Our Lady of Coromoto, patroness of Venezuela, and St. Jose Gregorio Hernandez and St. Carmen Rendiles, the nation’s first two saints, who were canonized in October.
The CELAM bishops said that Pope Leo’s “call is clear and hopeful: to overcome all situations of violence, to respect the dignity of every person, to care for the poorest, and to embark on paths of justice and peace, built on dialogue and truth.
“From this conviction, we want to reiterate that you are not alone,” said the bishops in their letter. “CELAM walks with you and with the Venezuelan people, encouraging every effort to build bridges, heal wounds, and advance reconciliation, without excluding anyone. The Church is called to be an open house, a space for encounter, and a serene voice that inspires hope, even in the midst of difficulties.”