The Vatican urged Maduro “to suspend ongoing initiatives such as the new Constituent Assembly, which, rather than fostering reconciliation and peace, encourages a climate of tension and confrontation and mortgages the future.”
Latin America
Posted inFaith, News
Parishes in the U.S. invited to mark Oscar Romero’s 100th birthday
In a statement, the Archbishop Oscar Romero U.S. Centennial Commission said it invites churches “to honor Blessed Romero by including a petition or other remembrance during Assumption Day Masses.”
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Cardinal says Venezuela must take blame for 10 election-related deaths
“The bishops are unanimous in their rejection of this new assembly, and we are asking the government to reconsider,” Cardinal Urosa told Venezuela news station Globovision the day before the vote.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Venezuela defiant as U.S. moves to sanction oil industry
Electoral authorities said more than 8 million people voted Sunday to create a constitutional assembly endowing President Nicolas Maduro’s ruling party with virtually unlimited powers—a figure widely disputed by independent analysts.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Upcoming referendum will only worsen crisis, Venezuelan bishops say
Days before a referendum to elect a constituent assembly to rewrite Venezuela’s constitution, leaders of the country’s bishops’ conference said the referendum is illegal and will only increase the suffering of the people.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Can Pope Francis help Venezuela step back from the edge?
Rome is urging Venezuela President Maduro and his Chavistas to hold the elections they are now blocking, release hundreds of political prisoners like Mr. López and restore the democratic separation of powers they have mowed down.
Posted inFaith, The Good Word
Father Stanley Rother knew “a shepherd cannot run from his flock.”
Before Father Rother died for his people, he had farmed with them, listened to them and spoken of God to them.
Posted inFaith, News
Washington’s Salvadoran diaspora in awe of first Salvadoran cardinal
El Salvador’s first cardinal will have the eyes of his flock at home but also of the Washington area, home to approximately 260,000 Salvadorans.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Deportation to deadly countries is an evil we can avoid
Can a Catholic carry out his or her job duties in good conscience if they include the deportation of people facing imminent death in their home countries?
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Pope Francis will attend reconciliation events in Colombia
Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos had said the pontiff promised him he would visit Colombia if the government and the rebel group signed a peace agreement.