Below is a working Zenit translation of the statement the Vatican’s Secretariat of State issued today, Friday, August 4, 2017, regarding the situation in Venezuela:
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The Holy See expresses once again its profound concern over the radicalization and worsening of the crisis in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, given the increase in the dead, wounded and detained. The Holy Father, directly and through the Secretariat of State, is closely following the situation and its humanitarian, social, political, economic as well as its spiritual implications. He also assures his constant prayer for the country and for all Venezuelans, while inviting the faithful worldwide to pray intensely for this intention.
At the same time, the Holy See appeals to all political actors, and the government in particular, to guarantee full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as for the existing Constitution; avoid or suspend ongoing initiatives such as the new Constituent which, instead of favoring reconciliation and peace, foments a climate of tension and confrontation and puts the future at stake; and create the conditions for a solution negotiated in line with the indications expressed in the letter from the Secretariat of State dated Sept. 1, 2016, taking into account the grave sufferings of the population due to the difficulty of obtaining food and medicine and the lack of security.
Finally, the Holy See addresses an urgent appeal to the whole society to avoid every form of violence, inviting the security forces, in particular, to abstain from the excessive and disproportionate use of force.
[Original text: Italian] [Working Translation by Zenit, Virginia M. Forrester]
