Caracas, Venezuela, Nov 7, 2009 / 15:50 pm
Widespread anxiety exists among Catholic leaders in Venezuela who fear that President Hugo Chavez could try to confiscate churches, schools and other church property and try to “eliminate” the work of the Catholic Church, a source close to the Venezuelan Bishops Conference has told Aid to the Church in Need.
The source, who asked not to be named, told the international Catholic pastoral charity that tensions have increased after President Chavez’s decision to confiscate leading financial institutions and businesses around Maracaibo Lake which are connected with the oil industry.
Six weeks ago in a densely populated area of the capital Caracas a district council leader announced plans to seize several church-run schools, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) reports.
Government figures characterized the initiative as part of an effort to protect historic buildings of national importance. Church figures fear that it is the first step in a thoroughgoing confiscation program affecting church property nationwide.