As Venezuelans recalled the fourth anniversary of the April 11 crisis of 2002, which left President Hugo Chavez out of office for 47 hours, and numerous more dead, the archbishop of Caracas, Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino, issued a strong call for reconciliation, justice and peace among all Venezuelans.

In his message, the cardinal recalled the need to “learn how to forgive. We don’t gain anything by holding resentment and anger in our hearts.  It is important that we seek out understanding, reconciliation and peace.”

Cardinal Urosa exhorted Venezuelans to reject hatred and that justice be handed down to those responsible for the deaths of April 11 in a fair and non-political process.  He expressed regret that a commission to investigate the 2002 crisis, which left 19 people dead, has never been established, and he underscored the importance that no further injustice add to the pain that has already been suffered by the Venezuelan people.

The courts “have a very grave responsibility,” the cardinal warned, “and no judge should ever be like Pontius Pilate, who simply condemned Jesus Christ in order to please the crowds.”

“We must always seek the truth, which is the way of justice and peace,” he said in conclusion.