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SOCIETY
OF JESUS - PROVINCE OF VENEZUELA
A COOMUNICATION OF THE PUBLIC OPINION
The Society
of Jesus in Venezuela (Jesuits), faced with a series of declarations
by representatives of the government and other public voices of
the nation that disqualify the members of the Society of Jesus in
Venezuela, as well as some of its works and institutions:
1. We declare
that:
- The Society
of Jesus in Venezuela is a religious order of the Catholic Church,
committed to the Venezuelan people since 1916, and that it continues
rendering services that are religious, educational, social and
of reflection on the country's developments, with the fundamental
calling to promote the justice that flows from our faith.
This is shown in works like: Fe y Alegría, the Catholic
University Andrés Bello, Gumilla Center, Jesuit Refugee
Service, primary and secondary education schools, parishes in
barrios, pastoral works and works of campesino and indigenous
promotion, among others.
- The Catholic
University Andrés Bello, a target of a defamatory campaign,
is an institution with 50 years of history, dedicated to the formation
of professional people with a commitment to building up the country.
The thousand of its graduates both undergraduate and graduate,
the many scholarships offered with the cooperation of private
companies and government, as well as the beneficiaries of health
services and social promotion who live in its neighborhood, are
credible witnesses of its humanitarian work without either political
or religious exclusions.
2. We want
to assert that:
- We reject
the inflamatory statements that, without any proof, have been
made against the Catholic University Andrés Bello, its
personnel (leadership, faculty, students, employees and workers)
and we want to stand in solidarity with the entire university
community in the face of the attacks, both verbal and physical,
received in the last months.
- We want
to emphasize in particular our support of, and solidarity with,
the President of said University, Fr. Luis Ugalde, S.J., a member
of this Society of Jesus, who is acting within the mission he
has received from the Society, always with identification and
in defense of the democratic principles and with full respect
of political plurality in the public domain of the University.
- We condemn
equally the aggressions against Archbishop Jorge Urosa, Cardinal
and Chancellor of this University, and we make public our demand
for the security of all persons without distinction.
- We demand
the respect due to institutions and person according to the most
elemental principles of democratic coexistence and of human rights.
- We reaffirm,
at this moment the country is living through, the commitment of
the Society of Jesus to promote and support any initiative that
may lead to peace and reconciliation of Venezuelans in the framework
of a democratic society, of justice and social inclusion, in accord
with the directives of the Constitution.
- We appreciate
the recognition and backing received from persons and institution
of the country.
In these days
of preparation to the Nativity of the Lord, Prince of Peace, we
renew our endeavor to continue accompanying the entire Venezuelan
people in its joys and its sufferings with the sincere hope that
His coming to the heart of every citizen will result in peace to
all people of good will.
Caracas, December
14, 2007
Jesús
Orbegozo, S.J.
Provincial Superior
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