Caracas, Venezuela, Jan 9, 2005 / 22:00 pm
As the Venezuelan Bishops Conference convened for their 83rd Plenary Assembly, the Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela, Archbishop Andre Dupuy, called on the bishops to be witnesses to “true hope” in the midst of the current crisis facing the country.
The archbishop recalled, “During more than four years I have shared together with you the joys, hopes, sadness and anguish of the people entrusted to you.” He also praised peaceful demonstrations, which “honor your people and democracy.”
“There are two dangers to true hope,” he continued. “Presumption and fatalism. The former led Peter to deny; the latter enveloped Judas in betrayal.”
“You and I are convinced that the Church’s duty is to be, for all, the messenger of true hope.”