Monsignor Ubaldo Santana, the chair of the Venezuelan Catholic Bishops' Council (CEV), said that shutting up "would amount to betray our pastoral mission."His remarks came in response to President Hugo Chávez' criticisms against a paper published by CEV recently.
"We just intended to meet our duties, rather than harming or ruining anyone. We want our rulers to be the best rulers as possible."
He added they expected to hold talks with the Venezuelan government.
"We have not been given any concrete signal from authorities pointing to a more serene dialogue. I believe it will come, because this is the best way to elucidate our thoughts. We want fair play. And if we do start talks, then I hope they are not interrupted without any explanation, like in the past."
Monsignor Santana, who is the Archbishop of Maracaibo, northwestern Zulia state, also advocated the right to information.
"Communicating the truth and not being afraid are the principles journalists should live by under the circumstances facing Venezuela, and with the necessary freedom. We need to be well informed and have full access to the facts the way they are indeed. This motherland needs men and women who are vertical, who are not afraid of talking about their beliefs until the end."
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