Venezuelans tense as presidential recall vote nears, says bishop

Published: 2004-06-22

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Politically polarized Venezuelans are "walking on hot cinders" before the Aug. 15 recall referendum to determine the future of President Hugo Chavez, a Venezuelan bishop said. The bishops, often at odds with Chavez, want fair elections with the results accepted without violence, said Bishop Ovidio Perez Morales of Los Teques June 21 during a briefing with officials of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington. The referendum will determine whether Chavez leaves office immediately or completes the three years left on his term. Bishop Perez was part of a three-member delegation representing the Venezuelan bishops' conference; the delegation traveled to Europe and the United States in June to inform church leaders about the sociopolitical situation in the South American country.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .