Vatican journalists condemn the attack on a Venezuelan colleague by a Chavista official

Journalists accredited to the Holy See expressed their “strong condemnation” after the attack suffered by Venezuelan journalist Edgar Beltrán, a contributor to the American media. The Pillar, during an official ceremony held in Rome on the occasion of the recent canonization of two new Venezuelan saints.

The incident took place on October 17 at the Pontifical Lateran University, during an event in honor of the new saints, attended by members of the Venezuelan government delegation.

As reported The Pillar, While Beltrán was interviewing Archbishop Edgar Robinson Peña Parra, substitute for the Vatican Secretariat of State, his conversation was abruptly interrupted by businessman Ricardo Cisneros, a member of the official Venezuelan delegation, who physically attacked him after a question about the “apparent politicization” of the canonizations by the government of Nicolás Maduro.

In a statement released this Wednesday, the International Association of Journalists Accredited to the Vatican (AIGAV) condemned the attack and called for the protection of press freedom within ecclesiastical spaces.

“Last Friday, one of our colleagues, who works for the American news site The Pillar, was personally and physically attacked while carrying out his journalistic work. The incident took place during an event organized on the occasion of the canonization of two Venezuelans, while our colleague was interviewing a Vatican prelate,” says the statement from the Council of the AIGAV (International Association of Journalists Accredited to the Vatican).

“We strongly condemn this act of violence against a colleague who was simply doing his job. The recent incident, which occurred during an official reception in which various civil and ecclesiastical representatives participated, confirms the need to continue supporting the free collection of information. Therefore, we call on all individuals and competent authorities to defend and promote this freedom,” the statement reads.

The document was sent to the organizers of the event – the Pontifical Lateran University and the archdiocese of Caracas – and to the Vatican Dicastery for Communication.

So far, the Holy See has not issued an official comment on the incident. However, several correspondents accredited to the Vatican have expressed their concern about what they consider a serious and unprecedented event within an environment that is usually characterized by respect and openness of information.

Cardinal Parolin’s condemnation of the attack against an Italian journalist

For his part, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, condemned the attack on October 16 against the Italian journalist Sigfrido Ranucci, host of the Report program. “We increasingly run the risk of living in a climate of intolerance where free expressions are no longer accepted,” the cardinal warned on the sidelines of a congress organized by the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Suffering (ACS).

“It is a source of great concern that acts of intimidation against the press could occur,” added Parolin, expressing his solidarity with the journalist.

“I am really worried; I express all my closeness to those who have been the object of this intimidation. We want everyone to be able to express their point of view without being victims of this type of threats,” he added.

The attack – a bomb placed in front of Ranucci’s home in Rome – sparked widespread condemnation in the Italian political and media world.