New Attack on Apostolic Nunciature in Venezuela

[Benedict108]

Head Synagogue Also Vandalized

CARACAS, Venezuela, FEB. 5, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Three teargas bombs were thrown at the apostolic nunciature in Caracas, in the seventh attack against this diplomatic see, and the second in less than 15 days.

According to a communiqué from the nunciature, on Wednesday several unidentified men on motorcycles threw “three devices, of which two fell and exploded in the exterior area of the property, and the third fell and exploded in the interior patio of the diplomatic see.”

The nunciature described the act as one of vandalism and irresponsibility, and authorities were called on to “take the needed measures so as to guarantee the security and safety of the diplomatic mission and its personnel, as is established by the Vienna Convention.”

Several attacks by pro-government groups have taken place since a student leader Nixon Moreno, who opposes President Hugo Chávez, was given asylum at the nunciature. The most recent attack, with five teargas bombs, happened last Jan. 19.

Wednesday’s incident comes just a few days after the Venezuelan bishops’ conference released a statement denouncing an attack against the principal synagogue of Caracas.

On Jan. 31, 15 unidentified people broke into the synagogue, destroyed objects for worship, and left anti-Israel graffiti.

The statement of the bishops, published Wednesday, expressed their “consternation and sorrow at the violation of the sacred space and the profanation of the religious symbols most dear to the Jewish religion.”

It asserted that this event “is far from the spirit of tolerance and welcome that is traditional for the Venezuelan people.”

Direct Link: zenit.org/article-25014?l=english

 

[Dale_M]

Here is a bit more information on the attack on the Vatican’s diplomatic headquarters in Venezuela.

The Vatican office in Caracas previously came under attack January 19, when six tear gas canisters were fired. Three of them landed deep inside the building, but no one was seriously injured.

Two other tear gas attacks were reported that day, one at the home of a private TV station director critical of the government and another at the University of Central Venezuela. That attack came as a student leader whose car had been torched two days earlier held a news conference to denounce violence.

Meanwhile, no one claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s attack at the Vatican office, unlike the other two attacks.

In January, a group calling itself Colectiva la Piedrita, which is said to support Chavez’s socialist agenda, claimed responsibility for the attack on the Vatican office. Pamphlets left outside the building accused the Catholic Church of treason against the Venezuelan people.

The Vatican Nunciature in Caracas has been giving asylum since June to Nixon Moreno, a Venezuelan student leader accused of attempting to rape a policewoman and wounding several police officers in a 2006 shootout. Venezuela has not granted Moreno safe passage to leave the country, and he remains holed up in the Nunciature.

cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/02/04/venezuela.tear.gas/

 

[Benedict108]

It is just a sad situation. The latest attack perhaps wasn’t carried out by la Colectiva la Piedrita, but it would seem that it could have been a reaction to speaking about against the the defilement of the synagogue, giving asylum to Nixon Moreno, or just because the fact the Church has been an opponent of Chavez.

I think in general, Venezuela has become a dangerous place for the Church, as Chavez has made his distaste for it very clear and people either hang on his every word or live in fear of him. Venzuela is definitely swept up in a wind of change and not necessarily for the better and I have had friends who have immigrated to the United States to try to escape its growing problems and to live in safety.