Venezuelan Bishops Support Fascist Tyranny Over Social Justice

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

Vatican history is hostile to governance of, by, and for everyone everywhere equitably — liberation theology considered heresy.

Pope Francis' high-minded rhetoric belies papal tradition, supporting wealth, power and privileged interests, paying lip service alone to democratic values, popular needs and welfare.

Venezuela's constitutionally authorized National Constituent Assembly (ANC) represents democracy in action, what's absent in the West, especially in the US. 

Earlier, former Caracas cardinal Jorge Urosa Savnio shamefully called the ANC "fraudulent and illegitimate," falsely saying:

"What's needed here is to change the Marxist, totalitarian, and statist ideology that has brought the country to ruin (sic)," adding:

Maduro intends to "decapitate the opposition so there's just one political party (sic)."

Prelates should stick to religious affairs and stay out of affairs of state, especially when supporting fascism over social democracy.

Article 348 of Venezuela's Constitution states the following:

"The initiative for calling a National Constituent Assembly may emanate from the President of the Republic sitting with the Cabinet of Ministers; from the National Assembly by a two-thirds vote of its members; from the Municipal Councils in open session, by a two-thirds vote of their members; and from 15% of the voters registered with the Civil and Electoral Registry."

Article 349 states: "The President of the Republic shall not have the power to object to the new Constitution. The existing constituted authorities shall not be permitted to obstruct the Constituent Assembly in any way."

No other authority may "in any way impede the decisions of the National Constituent Assembly" —  not the president, National Assembly legislators or Supreme Court justices.

Calling the ANC "fraudulent" is willful deception in service to Venezuelan and Western hardliners, hostile to governance serving everyone equitably.

On Friday in Caracas, Venezuelan bishops called for removing President Maduro — ignoring his scrupulously democratic election and reelection.

They issued a statement falsely calling Bolivarian governance "illegitimate and bankrupt" — ignoring a nation with the world's best electoral system, an open, free, and fair model for other countries to emulate.

Their statement disgracefully called for "the exit of the person who exercises power in an illegitimate manner and an election (sic), as soon as possible, of a new president of the Republic" — showing contempt for the rule of law and democracy the way it should be.

They called for replacing the independent National Electoral Council — wanting an alternate one beholden to US-led Western monied interests, not electoral freedom and the popular will.

They oppose the ANC because it supports social justice they abhor, wanting it eliminated — falsely claiming they back "justice and truth."

They endorsed UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNCHR) Michelle Bachelet's disinformation and Big Lies about Venezuela, following an official visit to the country from June 19 – 21 by invitation of its legitimate government.

Her report on conditions reads like it was prepared from fabricated Trump regime talking points, serving its interests, ignoring reality and the rule of law.

She lied saying Venezuelan Special Actions Forces (FAES) were responsible for scores of extrajudicial killings.

She lied claiming they took place "during illegal house raids…which subsequently report(ed) death(s) resulting from an armed confrontation…"

She lied expressing concern about (nonexistent) "restrictions on freedom of expression and of the press in Venezuela."

She falsely accused Bolivarian officials of destabilizing the country and region. Her remarks were based on interviews with anti-government hardliners, wanting Maduro's government toppled.

She lied accusing Bolivarian civil and military forces of "arbitrary detentions, ill-treatment and torture of opposition elements," along with "excessive use of force during demonstrations."

She failed to lay blame where it belongs. Nor has she focused on high crimes against peace by the US, other Western nations, Israel, and their imperial partners — what her efforts, actions, reports, and public statements should address.

Venezuelan bishops support opposition fascist elements. Their Friday statement spread disinformation and Big Lies about Bolivarian democracy the way it should be.

They ignored all-out Trump regime war on the country by other means, supported by other Western countries, what's fully responsible for economic hard times, endorsing what demands condemnation. 

Separately from Argentina during a visit with its fascist authorities, Pompeo lashed out against Maduro, demanding he "must leave."

He falsely accused him of "wreak(ing) devastation on the Venezuelan people, now impacting people all over South America" — ignoring Trump regime war on the country to crush its economy and immiserate its people.

Falsely calling Bolivarian social democracy governance under Maduro a "dictatorship," he and other Trump regime hardliners want US-controlled fascist tyranny replacing it.

The US under both extremist right wings of its war party represents an unparalleled menace to humanity.

Living in the heart of the beast, I'm appalled that the nation I grew up in long ago no longer exists. 

A monster hostile to life, liberty, and justice replaced it.

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