Venezuelan Cardinal and Bishops Oppose Social Democracy

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

Vatican history is notoriously anti-liberation theology supporting social justice, Pope Francis much like his predecessors.

Otherwise he wouldn't have been chosen as pontiff. Theologians genuinely concerned for the oppressed and needy are unacceptable to the Vatican hierarchy.

In response to establishment of Venezuela's democratically elected Constituent Assembly, a Vatican press statement expressed opposition, saying:

"The Holy See asks that all political actors, and in particular the government, 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" – code language for opposition to Bolivarian social democracy, support for fascist tyranny.

On Thursday, Venezuelan Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino, accompanied by the country's Catholic bishops, met with Pope Francis in Bogata, Colombia. 

They expressed opposition to Maduro's government, Savino saying "(w)e were very satisfied with the meeting, and the pope invited us to have hope and to communicate hope to the Venezuelan people."

"We have to defend our rights and those of others. We have to act within the frame of the constitution and the laws, but we have to do something."

"(W)e informed (Pope Francis) of the political radicalization that the government is doing with the constitutional assembly, a political organ they've created which is not only against the constitution, but it was fraudulent in its election."

Cardinal Savino lied. Venezuela's democratically elected Constituent Assembly reflects democracy in action, constitutionally authorized, Article 347 stating:

"The original constituent power rests with the people of Venezuela. This power may be exercised by calling a National Constituent Assembly for the purpose of transforming the State, creating a new juridical order and drawing up a new Constitution."

Article 348 states "(t)he 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 "(t)he 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.

Savino calling the CA process "fraudulent" was willful deception. The Vatican disgracefully called for its suspension. Claiming it'll "mortgage the future" turned truth on its head.

Pope Francis meddles irresponsibly. In his earlier capacity as archbishop of Buenes Aires and later a cardinal, he was complicit in Argentina's dirty war and subsequent neoliberal harshness - serving powerful interests at the expense of social and political justice, supporting what demanded condemnation.

He backs Colombia's fascist regime, opposes Venezuela's Bolivarian social democracy.

Savino irresponsibly blamed months of CIA-orchestrated street violence on President Maduro's government - instead of praising him for confronting US-supported thugs.

He urged continued street protests, instead of denouncing them, the Vatican likely as well. Positive-sounding papal rhetoric is one thing, unstated hardline policies another.

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