Tag: Venezuela
Despite challenges, Venezuelan youth have powerful potential
Only a few years ago, Graviel de Jesús was heading down a dangerous path. Already growing up poor in San Félix, Venezuela, and with complications from his mother’s alcohol and drug use while he was in utero, the teenager’s options for earning a livelihood were further limited when his country’s economy started to collapse. God was not a part of his life at the time, and so the young de Jesús began to follow his older brother into a life of crime.
Following in namesake’s footsteps led Minnesota priest to his own Latin American mission
In a way, Father Greg Schaffer, 53, was set up from the beginning to serve as a missionary priest in Latin America. But perhaps not in Venezuela.
In bleak Venezuela, archdiocesan mission supplies hope
Visitors to La Revancha bakery in San Felix, Venezuela, are greeted by a large menu listing a wide variety of breads and baked goods. But before customers start to reach for their wallets, they need to look a little closer: Instead of a price, a “no” sticker is placed next to nearly all of the items, indicating their unavailability.
‘Padre Santiago’ hopes to import ministry of encounter to Columbia Heights
The earthy smell of simmering cornmeal “arepas” rose from the stovetop as a young American priest was welcomed into the humble home with a kiss on the cheek and an affectionate salutation of “Padre!” As he did most nights of the week, Father James Peterson was joining parishioners for dinner.
Bishops’ conferences join efforts to help Venezuelan refugees
With the help of the Migrant and Refugee Section of the Vatican Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development, eight bishops’ conferences in Latin America have joined efforts to assist Venezuelans in transit through or settling in their home countries.
Help defend democracy, vote for governors, say Venezuelan bishops
Venezuela’s bishops urged citizens to vote in upcoming gubernatorial elections.
Flying to Colombia, pope asks prayers for Venezuela
Flying to Colombia, with a flight plan changed to avoid Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean Sea, Pope Francis told reporters that Colombia and its neighbor, Venezuela, were in his prayers.
Constituent Assembly will ‘mortgage’ Venezuela’s future, Vatican says
In a strongly worded statement, the Vatican called on the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to respect the will of the people and respect the nation’s current constitution.
Upcoming referendum will only worsen crisis, Venezuelan bishops say
Days before a referendum to elect a constituent assembly to rewrite Venezuela’s constitution, leaders of the country’s bishops’ conference said the referendum is illegal and will only increase the suffering of the people.
Venezuela risks becoming Caribbean ‘North Korea,’ former leaders say
Two former Latin American presidents said the world is running out of time to find a solution to the crisis in Venezuela as President Nicolas Maduro aims to consolidate power over the country.
Venezuelan bishops call for civil disobedience in constitutional crisis
In response to a renewed constitutional crisis in the country, the Venezuelan bishops’ conference has called for “peaceful civil disobedience” to restore constitutional order.
Witnessing youthful faith
The first time I ever went on a mission trip was in college, when I joined a group visiting our archdiocesan mission in Venezuela. I was filled with excitement and anxiety as we embarked on this adventure of faith. I knew that mission had something to do with sharing faith, but I wondered how I would be able to communicate and bring God to Venezuela. When we finally arrived, I was surprised to find out that God was already there!
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