Catholic Bishops of Latin America and Caribbean - CELAM - Sends Message of Support to Venezuela's People
CELAM the acronym for the Catholic bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean have sent a message of support to the people of Venezuela, following the U.S. military intervention of January 3rd. Including the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and swearing in of vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, as Venezuela’s interim president. The public letter was signed by its leadership, the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council, or CELAM.
MESSAGE OF CLOSENESS AND HOPE TO THE CHURCH AND THE PEOPLE ON PILGRIMAGE IN VENEZUELA
Dear brother bishops of the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference,
dear priests, consecrated men and women, and lay faithful of Venezuela:
In the joy of the Epiphany of the Lord, when the Church proclaims that God reveals himself as light for all nations, the Presidency of the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM) wishes to send you a simple, fraternal, and hopeful message. Celebrating the Epiphany at this time means renewing our faith in a God who is close to the people, who walks with them, illuminates the night and opens new paths even when everything seems uncertain. Like the Magi, we continue seeking the star that leads us to Christ, the Light that no one can extinguish.
We share and embrace with profound pastoral awareness the words of Pope Leo XIV, who spoke about the situation in Venezuela and reminded us that the good of the people must always be above any other consideration. His call is clear and hopeful: to overcome all situations of violence, to respect the dignity of every person, to care for the poorest, and to embark on paths of justice and peace, built upon dialogue and truth. From this conviction, we want to reiterate that you are not alone. CELAM walks with you and with the Venezuelan people, encouraging every effort to build bridges, heal wounds, and advance in reconciliation, without excluding anyone. The Church is called to be an open house, a space of encounter, and a serene voice that inspires hope, even in the midst of difficulties.
We firmly believe that walking together, listening to one another with respect, and seeking the common good is the path that the Lord proposes to us today. Wherever there is truth, justice, mercy, and care for the most vulnerable, God reveals himself anew, as in Bethlehem.
We entrust this time and this journey to the loving intercession of Our Lady of Coromoto, Mother of the Venezuelan people, and to the luminous witness of Saint José Gregorio Hernández and Mother Carmen Rendiles, so that they may accompany the Church and the entire Venezuelan nation in building a future of peace, dignity, and hope.
Happy 2026!
With fraternal affection and sincere communion in Christ,
Card. Jaime Spengler
Dear brother bishops of the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference,
dear priests, consecrated men and women, and lay faithful of Venezuela:
In the joy of the Epiphany of the Lord, when the Church proclaims that God reveals himself as light for all nations, the Presidency of the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM) wishes to send you a simple, fraternal, and hopeful message. Celebrating the Epiphany at this time means renewing our faith in a God who is close to the people, who walks with them, illuminates the night and opens new paths even when everything seems uncertain. Like the Magi, we continue seeking the star that leads us to Christ, the Light that no one can extinguish.
We share and embrace with profound pastoral awareness the words of Pope Leo XIV, who spoke about the situation in Venezuela and reminded us that the good of the people must always be above any other consideration. His call is clear and hopeful: to overcome all situations of violence, to respect the dignity of every person, to care for the poorest, and to embark on paths of justice and peace, built upon dialogue and truth. From this conviction, we want to reiterate that you are not alone. CELAM walks with you and with the Venezuelan people, encouraging every effort to build bridges, heal wounds, and advance in reconciliation, without excluding anyone. The Church is called to be an open house, a space of encounter, and a serene voice that inspires hope, even in the midst of difficulties.
We firmly believe that walking together, listening to one another with respect, and seeking the common good is the path that the Lord proposes to us today. Wherever there is truth, justice, mercy, and care for the most vulnerable, God reveals himself anew, as in Bethlehem.
We entrust this time and this journey to the loving intercession of Our Lady of Coromoto, Mother of the Venezuelan people, and to the luminous witness of Saint José Gregorio Hernández and Mother Carmen Rendiles, so that they may accompany the Church and the entire Venezuelan nation in building a future of peace, dignity, and hope.
Happy 2026!
With fraternal affection and sincere communion in Christ,
Card. Jaime Spengler
President
Archbishop of Porto Alegre, Brazil
Archbishop of Porto Alegre, Brazil
Archbishop José Luis Azuaje Ayala
Archbishop of Maracaibo, Venezuela
First Vice President
Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa, O.S.A.
Archbishop of Maracaibo, Venezuela
First Vice President
Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa, O.S.A.
Second Vice President
Archbishop of Panama City, Panama
Bishop of San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic
Archbishop of Panama City, Panama
Bishop of San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic
Bishop Santiago Rodríguez Rodríguez
President CAE
Auxiliary Bishop Lizardo Estrada Herrera, O.S.A.
President CAE
Auxiliary Bishop Lizardo Estrada Herrera, O.S.A.
General Secretary
Source: https://adn.celam.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Prot-0001-Conferencia-Episcopal-Venezolana.pdf
Image https://adn.celam.org/clar-vida-religiosa-latinoamericana-denuncia-injusticias-y-apoya-autodeterminacion-democratica-del-pueblo-venezolano/
Comments