The clergy of Barquisimeto make a statement in defence of their pastor, stressing that public officials must leave “arrogance aside.” 

Newsroom (26/01/2023 3:10 PM, Gaudium Press) — The Catholic News Agency reports that insults and curses were uttered by Diosdado Cabello, the ‘strong man’ of the Maduro regime, against the bishop of San Felipe and Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Barquisimeto, Bishop Víctor Hugo Basabe. 

In his homily on the feast of Divina Pastora, Bp. Basabe denounced the serious economic situation in the country and called for an end to the “false economic bubble.” 

In addition to the insults, Cabello claimed that Bp. Basabe’s homily had been a “low and malicious” political speech and extended his affronts to the Episcopal Conference, saying that “no member of the episcopate is saved, everyone is exactly equal.” 

He added that Catholic clergy take advantage of their spaces to conduct politics. 

Cabello spoke of “the petty intentions of those who lead the Episcopal Conference party.”

More than 90 priests of the Diocese of Barquisimeto, came to the defense of their bishop in a statement, saying that “our condition as pastors does not separate us or exempt us from our reality as citizens, aware of the situation of our people.”

For this reason, “we recognize the free, democratic and constitutional right of our pastor, as a free citizen, to express his opinions on the reality of the country, whose situation is clearly undeniable”. 

The priests took the opportunity to invite civil servants to “leave pride aside and have the humility to listen, reflect and participate in the search for better conditions for all citizens”. 

Compiled by Donna Smolders