The Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of San Cristóbal, in the state of Táchira (Venezuela), Mons. Mario Moronta, 75 years old, referred to the political situation in the country, asking the Baby Jesus “two very special gifts” for the country this Christmas.
Mentioning the Chavista regime’s intention to advance the Christmas celebrations, which would have started obligatorily last October throughout Venezuela, Bishop Moronta asked the Child Jesus to “convince in the heart” of each of the political factors. who live in the country, so that they reach agreements through dialogue.
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“Without insults, without disqualifications and without the need for laws that will harm those” who think differently, requested Bishop Moronta.
The second gift that the bishop emeritus asked of the Child Jesus revolved around the arrest of more than 2,000 people after the presidential elections of July 28, among which were hundreds of minors, held in common prisons and those who face sentences of up to 30 years in prison, accused of “terrorism.”
Bishop Moronta referred to the importance of politicians paying attention to the lyrics of the aguinaldos, which are traditional Venezuelan songs with a Christmas theme.
“In the bonuses we sing to the Sun of Justice, to the Prince of Peace. How nice it would be – just as the Three Wise Men brought gifts – if we in Venezuela, and especially those responsible (for politics) could give a happy Christmas to so many families who have their loved ones detained due to problems of political thought,” he expressed. Mons. Moronta, this being the second gift he asked for from the Child Jesus.
The statements of the prelate, whose resignation due to age limit from the pastoral government of the Diocese of San Cristóbal was accepted by Pope Francis last October, were framed in a press conferencethis November 27, in which he reported on the preparations to receive his successor, Mons. Lisandro Rivas.
Bishop Rivas will arrive in the state of Táchira on December 12, and will begin his episcopal work with a two-day pilgrimage through several local parishes, before his inauguration, in which 12 more bishops of the country and the Apostolic Nuncio will be present. in Venezuela, Mons. Alberto Ortega Martín.
Andres Henriquez
I have been a writer for ACI Prensa and a correspondent for EWTN since 2023. Since then, I have covered events in the Catholic Church in Venezuela and Latin America. I have more than 5 years of experience in bilingual media. Additionally, in Venezuela I have worked with non-governmental organizations in favor of freedom and respect for human rights in the country. I have been a member of the Regnum Christi Federation since 2014.