The 76th Ordinary Plenary Assembly of the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference (CEV) concluded on Friday, October 23, with the publication of a new pastoral exhortation titled “Lord, in your light we see the light.” Read to the media in Caracas by Archbishop Helizandro Terán of Mérida, the document provides a candid diagnosis of the nation’s severe political, economic, and social challenges while outlining concrete proposals for national reconstruction.
In their assessment, the bishops described the country’s current context as one of the most complex in its history. The statement highlighted widespread impoverishment, delayed legal processes for political prisoners, institutional neglect, and ongoing human rights violations. It also criticized the severe collapse of the public education and healthcare systems, noting that despite international economic tutelage over oil revenues, these financial resources have failed to translate into improved public services, stable electrical infrastructure, or decent wages for the general public.
On the political front, the prelates pointed to worsening polarization and a lack of democratic guarantees, emphasizing that Venezuelan society urgently requires free, transparent elections that respect the political rights of all citizens. Additionally, the bishops addressed the weakening of the social and family fabric, exacerbated by youth despair, neglect of the elderly, and the recent devastation caused by the June earthquakes. They praised the relief efforts led by ordinary citizens and organizations like Caritas while calling for rigorous infrastructure evaluations to prevent future tragedies.
Despite the heavy diagnosis, the CEV emphasized that it does not view the future with passive despair, noting recent positive signs such as the release of some political prisoners, expanded freedom of expression, and the gradual reactivation of the oil industry. To build on these signs of hope, the bishops proposed several action plans, including integrating human rights defense into all public policies, promoting national agreements founded on truth and justice, repealing restrictive laws against non-governmental organizations, and establishing a “national education pact.”
The exhortation concludes with a call for community dialogue, spiritual renewal through nationwide days of prayer during the Coromoto Jubilee Year, and active civic participation from the lay faithful. The bishops encouraged all Venezuelans not to lose heart, calling on society to unite behind an inclusive, democratic, and ethical path toward lasting peace and national recovery.