Caracas, Venezuela, Feb 29, 2008 / 02:11 am
The Archbishop of Caracas, Cardinal Jorge Urosa Sabino, blamed the government of Venezuela for the lack of security and negligence that allowed a group of Chavez activists to occupy the archdiocesan chancery for more than three hours on Wednesday.
“This escalation of violence must cease, and that falls to the government. Everyone must collaborate to bring about peace, harmony and unity. Differences need to be resolved through dialogue and democracy,” the cardinal told the TV network Globovision, which the activists demanded be shut down.
The group of activists were led by Lina Ron, a well-known Chavez supporter.
Cardinal Urosa lamented that his phone calls to government officials protesting the occupation went unanswered, and he demanded “respect for the Church.” He said the events of Wednesday were linked to verbal attacks on the Church recently made by some officials over the bishops’ call for greater amnesty and for authentic respect for democratic practices.