Opus Dei: Visit of Prelate Fernando Ocáriz to Venezuela is postponed

Opus Dei reported the postponement of the visit of its Prelate and maximum leader, Mons. Fernando Ocáriz, to Venezuela, within the framework of the 50 years of the trip to Latin America of the founder of the personal Prelature, Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer.

In a statement published on his website On August 7, Opus Dei indicated that Bishop Ocáriz has already visited Chile and Peru; and he will then continue his journey in Ecuador and Colombia.

“The last stage of his trip, which was in Venezuela, will be rescheduled for later. In turn, send a special blessing to each and every one of her Venezuelan children,” the text highlights.

Although the statement does not explain the reasons for the postponement, Venezuela is experiencing a strong crisis after the July 28 elections, in which according to electoral authorities Nicolás Maduro won, results that continue to be questioned by the opposition – which considers Edmundo González Urrutia – and by the international community, even with accusations of fraud. The protests in the country have already left 24 dead, according to the Efe agency.

Saint Josemaría’s trips to Latin America 50 years ago

Saint Josemaría visited Brazil from May 22 to June 7, 1974; then he went to Argentina from June 7 to 28. From there she went to Chile, from June 28 to July 9. From July 9 to August 1 he was in Peru; Then he traveled to Ecuador from August 1 to 15.

Between August 15 and 31, he made his first trip to Venezuela, and the second took place from February 4 to 15, 1975.

Saint Josemaría visited Guatemala from February 15 to 23, 1975. Colombia was also on the visit program, but due to health reasons the saint could only spend a few minutes at an airport in the country.

To celebrate these 50 years, Opus Dei launched a website as multimedia material that shows the impact and fruits of the prelature in the Latin American countries that the Spanish saint visited.