Priest sees Venezuelan president easing relations with bishops

Published: 2004-08-05

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- If Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez wins his nation's Aug. 15 recall election, he likely will seek an understanding with the bishops rather than take revenge for their harsh criticisms of his rule, said the head of the nation's main Catholic university. Given the strong political polarization in the country, Chavez needs to reach an understanding with opposition forces if he wins, said Jesuit Father Luis Ugalde, rector of Andres Bello Catholic University in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas. "Chavez is not in a condition to repress if victorious," he told Catholic News Service during an Aug. 4 visit to Washington. Chavez was democratically elected in 1998. He promised to implement social reforms, end government corruption and sharply reduce poverty. Since then, the bishops have criticized the government's human rights record and said that economic conditions for the poor have worsened.

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