Cardinal urges Venezuelans to vote despite threats

December 06, 2013

Describing voting as a “serious moral obligation,” Venezuela’s leading prelate urged the nation’s citizens to vote in the December 8 municipal elections despite pressures not to do so.

“We recall once again that the vote is secret,” Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino said in a statement that was also. “We reject undue threats. Free vote is a right that we should exercise with courage, determination, and according to our conscience.”

In a reference to the nation’s ruling socialist party, Cardinal Urosa added that “opportunism should absolutely be avoided, in particular regarding the use of state resources to promote the victory of one party.”

He concluded by inviting the faithful to “pray intensely to Jesus Christ, the Lord of history, for the good and future of the country. We entrust our beloved country to the maternal intercession of Mary most holy, Our Lady of Coromoto, Patroness of Venezuela.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Comunicado del Arzobispado de Caracas sobre las elecciones municipales 2013 (Venezuelan Episcopal Conference)
• Voting is "a moral obligation": the Archbishop of Caracas invites to participate in the municipal elections (Fides)