VaticanS Role in venezuelan Crisis Draws scrutiny Amidst Allegations of Bias
CARACAS, Venezuela – A recent article circulating online is intensifying scrutiny of the Vatican‘s diplomatic efforts in Venezuela, alleging a concerning alignment with socialist regimes and a potential betrayal of faithful Catholics within the country. The piece, published on OnePeterFive, details concerns over Cardinal Pietro parolin’s involvement in negotiations and the perceived lack of robust support for the Church’s adherents facing political and economic hardship.
The article centers on the claim that the Vatican, under Pope Francis, has prioritized dialog with the Nicolás Maduro government despite its authoritarian policies and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. It specifically points to the Vatican’s involvement in peace talks between the Maduro regime and opposition groups, particularly those mediated by Cuba and Norway, with Cardinal Parolin present at the signing of a 2016 agreement. critics argue this engagement lends legitimacy to a government accused of widespread human rights abuses and effectively silences dissent.
The author contends that the Vatican’s approach represents a departure from its traditional defense of religious freedom and the faithful, referencing past examples of Church resistance against oppressive regimes.The article cites a blocked link to a 2014 statement from the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference (http://www.cev.org.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=76:02-abr-2014&catid=2&Itemid=318), and notes that many sources downplay the Vatican’s direct participation in negotiations, despite Cardinal Parolin’s presence at key events.
Furthermore, the piece highlights Pope Francis’s stated aim during a 2017 trip to Colombia – “to help Colombia move forward on its path of peace” (https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/es/events/event.dir.html/content/vaticanevents/es/2017/9/6/voloandata-colombia.html) – as indicative of a broader strategy to engage with socialist governments in Latin America.
The article concludes with a call for Venezuelan Catholics to remain steadfast in their faith, drawing inspiration from the examples of St. José Gregorio Hernández and St. Carmen Rendiles,and to adhere to the perennial teachings of the Church. It also contains a strongly worded condemnation of Cardinal Parolin,framing him as an agent of an “apocalyptic beast” and warning of divine retribution. The author references Charles Theodore Murr’s The Godmother. Madre Pascalina (2017, pp. 58-61) as supporting context.
