Venezuelan Church full of joy despite country's difficulties

Venezuela has been gripped by an economic and social crisis. Recently, Luis Vildoso, head of projects for ACN in Venezuela, visited eleven dioceses in central and western Venezuela. On his return, he spoke to Carlos Rosas-Jiménez about the situation in Venezuela and how the Church there is full of life despite the difficulties.

By ACN Staff

Holy Mass in Venezuela. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

An economic and social crisis has gripped Venezuela. Recently, Luis Vildoso, head of projects for ACN in Venezuela, visited eleven dioceses in central and western Venezuela. On his return, he spoke to Carlos Rosas-Jiménez about the situation in Venezuela and how the Church there is alive despite the difficulties.

Caracas, Venezuela. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

Luis gave a general description of the situation in Venezuela:

“You can tell that it is a country that at one point had a good economic situation. Venezuela is very rich in energy resources such as oil and gas. You can still see fine infrastructure, for example. I would highlight the roads. The country is well connected with a network of motorways which are in good condition. However, at the same time there is a situation of very serious poverty, the macroeconomic figures speak for themselves. A public health or education worker, for instance, makes around USD$6 or USD$12 per month, but the average cost of living for a family of five is around USD$200 per month. Furthermore, industry, in general, has either ground to a halt or is significantly depleted, such as the oil industry, which is operating below minimum production levels.”

Luis described the Church there as being alive and joyful despite all of the difficulties in Venezuela. The Church is very active in education and healthcare. The laity is active in the Church. There are some practical issues, as Luis explains:

Meeting between youth ministers and local clergy. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

“In some places there is a shortage of priests. Many foreign priests and religious have had to leave the country because their residence permits were not renewed. Furthermore, some priests and bishops are suffering from fatigue, because they cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. We need to help the clergy and contribute to its spiritual renovation, but also ensure responses can be made in a timely manner when problems arise.”

The Venezuelan Government exercises significant control of the population through checkpoints known as alcabalas. The media is also under state control. This control also extends to the Church to a certain extent. The government has criticised the Church and has lashed out on occasion, for example, by sending a letter to a priest whose homily the government did not live. This all creates a sense that the Church is under siege.

The Venezuelan bishops see young people are the future and the source of change in the country. For that reason, the bishops have taken particular care to reach out to young people in their pastoral initiatives.

Youth meeting in Araure, Venezuela. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

Luis described being at one of these youth gatherings:

“The bishop of the Diocese of San Carlos Cojedes invited us to a youth gathering, but we had no idea how big it would be. When we arrived, we were met by 500 young people, in dialogue with the bishop, asking him very interesting questions, and they invited us to join them. When I left, I felt renewed in my mission and it was beautiful to be able to give a testimony of married life to such a large group of young people who are trying to discern their vocation – some of whom may be called to consecrated or religious life, and others to marriage – and to show them that it is possible to live out a Christian life in a variety of vocations.

I had a similar experience in the Diocese of Acarigua Araure. We went to another gathering of young people with their bishop, for vocational discernment. We found a Church full of young people. We could only wish that churches in Europe were like this as well! The Church in Venezuela is very Latin American, very lively, very joyful.”

Luis explained that because of the economic crisis, the priority for ACN is to care for the clergy’s sustenance and also that of women religious. At the same time, ACN is keen to support the Church’s outreach and formation of the laity and, with God’s help, lead to the transformation of Venezuela.