CARACAS, Venezuela, NOV. 7, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Archbishop Jorge Urosa Savino took possession of the archdiocesan see of Caracas during a Mass in which he expressed his intention to avoid political controversies.
«As archbishop, I am and will be impartial in the field of party politics, but never indifferent to the problems of my brothers, especially those who suffer, the poor, the weak,» stated the prelate during the celebration Saturday in the cathedral.
«I appeal to all priests and religious: Brothers, we are called to serve Christ and all our brothers without distinction and without party-politics partiality,» added the 63-year-old archbishop. Present at the celebration were civil and military authorities.
In his homily, Archbishop Urosa asserted that he was coming «not to be served, but to serve» as an «angel of peace» in order to «promote the good and spiritual uplifting, foment fraternal union and social coexistence among the inhabitants of Caracas.»
«I am coming to work for the great evangelical values of justice and peace; respect, tolerance and broad mindedness, especially in the field of politics; for freedom, social security and the personal safety of each one of Caracas’ inhabitants, which means the defense of all human rights consecrated in the Constitution,» he said amid loud applause.
Archbishop Urosa sent greetings to Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, who was represented at the ceremony by Vice President José Vicente Rangel, and clarified that he «invited all — all the leaders.»
His statements were made in the wake of years of dispute between Church leaders and Chávez.
«As archbishop,» the prelate said, «it will correspond to me to act according to the Lord’s words: ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.'»
Archbishop Urosa succeeds Cardinal Antonio Velasco García, who died in July 2003.
