Venezuela: Bishops call for end to violence after police kill teenager

Kluiverth Roa - screen shot

The Bishops of Venezuela have asked Venezuelan authorities to stop violence and not to resort to "methods or weapons that are contrary to the law", making clear reference to the death of the 14-year-old Kluiverth Roa, who was killed by a policeman.

"We urge civil authorities, military and police not to employ methods or weapons in contrast with the law and the dignity of human beings", said the statement signed on February 26, by Mgr Mario Moronta, Bishop of San Cristobal, the city where the boy was murdered.

Mgr Moronta reminded the security forces that "it is their duty" to maintain order, be respectful of the law and human rights", at the same time reiterated that "to protest is a civil right", to be exercised within the law and must be "peaceful".

Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino, Archbishop of Caracas, also asked the government to "prohibit the use of lethal force to control demonstrations" and called for "the punishment of those who are guilty", both regarding the murder of Klievert Roa and other young students, victims of police officers.

In the note, also signed by the auxiliary Bishops of Caracas, Cardinal Urosa said: "We deplore the recent murders of several young people in Táchira, Zulia and Caracas; two of them by security officials of the State".

At the same time, he expressed his condolences to the families."We must overcome attitudes such as the desire of easy wealth and corruption, political pride, arrogance and lust of power, selfishness, laziness, hatred and violence. And we have to save the principles of legality, legitimacy and morality that support the fabric of social life", said the Cardinal, who concludes with the sentence:"Stop murderous violence".

At the Angelus today, Pope Francis referred to the situation in Venezuela and prayed for peace.

Source: Fides/VIS