Hungry Venezuelans turn to Church for help
Long lines for food, shortages of medications, runaway inflation and political unrest have gripped Venezuela for more than a year, pushing the South American country of 31 million people to the edge of collapse.
A man and his daughter overlook a neighbourhood in Caracas, Venezuela, March 25. Venezuela’s deepening economic crisis has prompted Catholics to turn to the church, which does not have enough donations to help everyone. (CNS photo/Miguel Gutierrez, EPA)
Maria Elena Febres-Cordero, president of Venezuela’s National Council of the Laity, said she believes the deepening economic morass has brought Venezuelans closer to the Church and prompted them to look to their parishes and bishops for guidance. Yet the crisis has not spared the Church, even as the public relies more on the services it provides.
Venezuela has been buffeted by a currency crisis and downturn in the price of oil, its principal export.
International mediators plan to lead talks in coming weeks to find a solution to a political standoff between President Nicolas Maduro’s government and the political opposition, which holds the majority in parliament. But Catholic leaders in the country expressed doubt that the current government can find a way out.
“A government that has failed to win the economic war and fails to provide food and medicine to the people, and what’s more, has refused to allow religious or social institutions lend their support to alleviate hardships and diseases, lacks the moral authority to call for dialogue and peace,” Archbishop Diego Sanchez, president of the Venezuelan Bishops Conference.
Ramon Antonio Perez, a journalist who works in the archdiocese of Caracas said in the past year he has witnessed the human suffering caused by the shortages.
“In lines, waiting to buy food I have seen women and men pass out because they’ve gone days without eating. It’s terrible to see and hear the cries of children begging for food,” he said. “It’s not easy. But the mercy of God can work miracles.”—CNS
- When the ‘Holy Bird’ came at Pentecost - June 1, 2022
- Marist Brothers Celebrate their Name! - September 10, 2021
- Mary Magdalene – From 7 Demons to Disciple - July 22, 2021
