In a new pastoral letter on the occasion of the canonization of José Gregorio Hernández and Mother Carmen Elena Rendiles, the bishops of Venezuela asked the State authorities for “measures of grace that allow those imprisoned for political reasons to regain freedom.”
The letter published this October 7 reflects on how this historic event for the Venezuelan nation involves all areas of its society. The episcopate first recounted the long process that will end by elevating the first saints of Venezuela to the altars, on October 19.
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After presenting a brief biography of José Gregorio and Mother Carmen, the bishops point out that both “shine for the splendor of their virtues and for being people who passed through this world testifying to a great love for Jesus Christ and his Church, and a serious commitment to the tasks that they had to carry out.”
This, they assure, marks a path for all Venezuelans: that of holiness, “which is the vocation of the Christian.” The episcopate invites us to “make an effort to know the life and virtues of these compatriots that the Church canonizes,” because in them “we will not find many extraordinary things, but simply their life of faith rooted in the world.”
Holiness that inspires pastoral action
Within the framework of the canonization and in the midst of the many current needs of the Venezuelan people, the bishops call to “insistently ask God to come to our aid and help us respond with the help of all the sons and daughters of this land.”
They assure that what will happen on October 19 is an honor “for the entire nation” and that, in that sense, the canonization “cannot be reduced to external gestures of joy” but must “promote a deep reflection on the present and future of our country, in light of the virtues that these saints lived.”
“It is a strong stimulus for all Venezuelans to meet and appreciate each other as children of the same country and brothers among us; to defend the life and dignity of the human person from conception to natural death; to accept our differences as a wealth and build a better society in mutual respect, coexistence and the constant search for peace,” writes the episcopate.
In addition, they call for—in honor of the “doctor of the poor”—to take advantage of the opportunity to improve the Venezuelan public health system. Likewise, valuing the teaching vocation of the two future saints, they ask that “our children and young people be guaranteed quality education and teachers fair remuneration for their work.”
Regarding those imprisoned for political reasons, who in Venezuela number in the hundreds, the bishops urge the State to dictate pardon measures that allow them to regain their freedom.
“We consider that in this way the tranquility and harmony would be favored not only for the families and relatives of these people, but for the entire society,” they add.
Finally, they assure that the Catholic Church invites Venezuelans to be enthusiastic “with the adventure of holiness”, whose fruits are “peace, harmony, the construction of human coexistence, mercy and compassion.”
“Holiness also gives meaning to suffering and pain, which often accompany us throughout life,” they express.
To read the pastoral letter of the bishops of Venezuela you can click in this link.
Andres Henriquez
I was born in Caracas in 1996. 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, Latin America and the world. I have more than 6 years of experience in bilingual media. Furthermore, in Venezuela I have worked in various areas in favor of freedom and respect for fundamental rights in the country. I have been a member of the Regnum Christi Federation since 2014.