Venezuelan authorities have detained two priests, Carlos Eduardo Quintero and Ramón Antonio Acosta Franco, in Anzoátegui state. The Tribunal 4 de Control ordered their pretrial detention following a presentation hearing. Prosecutors allege the men sexually abused three teenage altar servers at the Ermita del Carmen church in Barcelona. According to the prosecution, the abuse occurred within the church premises and involved recorded incidents used for blackmail. The Military Ordinariate of Venezuela stated it respects the law and will cooperate with judicial authorities while offering support to the victims. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of clergy conduct within the country's Catholic institutions.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Edwin Mijares on UnsplashPersecuted church
On October 29, seven Venezuelan civil society organizations presented evidence of ongoing digital repression to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) in Washington. The groups, including Amnesty International Venezuela and the Center for Defenders and Justice, alleged that the United Socialist Party of Venezuela continues arbitrary arrests, surveillance, and online harassment. They cited over 400 arbitrary detentions and blocked media domains. IACHR officials criticized the Venezuelan government's continued absence and silence, stating that such non-cooperation hinders democratic dialogue. The NGOs urged the commission to document these violations to support future human rights protections in Venezuela.
Aid to the Church in Need International·🇻🇪 Venezuela·
Venezuela’s bishops issued a pastoral exhortation on October 23 calling for free, transparent elections and independent electoral and judicial institutions. The document, released after the 126th Ordinary Plenary Assembly, urges the repeal of laws restricting non-governmental organizations to improve disaster relief efforts following the June earthquakes. The bishops highlighted the country’s complex political and economic crisis, noting the recent detention of President Nicolás Maduro and the interim leadership of Delcy Rodríguez. They also welcomed the return of opposition leader María Corina Machado and called for a national reconstruction plan based on justice and reconciliation to address widespread impoverishment and human rights violations.
María Corina Machado, a 2025 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, returned to Venezuela on October 25 after nearly a year in exile. She attended a Sunday mass at the Sanctuary of the Divine Mother in Barquisimeto, where crowds gathered chanting for freedom. According to ACI Prensa, Machado had previously fled to Norway following intense political persecution. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated her return resulted from reconciliation talks supported by Washington, which have freed political prisoners. US President Donald Trump claimed he was unaware of the event. Machado then traveled to Caracas. No high-ranking Chavismo officials commented on her presence.
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Jesuit priest Txuo Rodríguez Villaroel is leading reconstruction efforts in Venezuela four months after a devastating earthquake killed 6,509 people and injured over 226,000. According to Rodríguez, the emergency has entered a prolonged phase marked by housing shortages, disrupted education, and economic hardship. He notes that 400 schools were affected, impacting hundreds of thousands of children. Working with Manos Unidas, the priest focuses on educational support and humanitarian aid across 24 schools. Despite the ongoing crisis and political instability, Rodríguez expresses hope for Venezuela's recovery, citing the solidarity shown by the Venezuelan people in the aftermath of the disaster.
Venezuelan bishops released a pastoral exhortation following their 126th Plenary Assembly, calling for the integral reconstruction of the nation. The document highlights widespread poverty, human rights violations, and a collapsing education and health system. The prelates criticize the political polarization and demand free elections with impartial institutions. They also acknowledge signs of hope, such as the release of some political prisoners, while thanking international aid organizations for their support during recent earthquakes. The church urges leaders to prioritize the common good and social reconciliation. (Venezuela)
The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference called for free elections and an end to institutional abandonment during its 126th plenary assembly in Caracas. The bishops highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crisis, citing human rights violations, judicial delays, and the impact of recent earthquakes. They urged the restoration of constitutional order, an impartial electoral council, and an independent supreme court. The statement also addressed economic hardships, including food insecurity and healthcare shortages, while welcoming recent reductions in censorship and the release of political prisoners. The Church emphasized that charity cannot replace state obligations, proposing a national pact based on truth and justice to resolve the structural crisis affecting Venezuelan citizens.
Jesuit priest Txuo Rodríguez Villaroel is leading reconstruction efforts in Venezuela four months after a devastating earthquake killed 6,509 people and injured over 226,000. According to Rodríguez, the emergency has entered a prolonged phase marked by housing shortages, disrupted education, and economic hardship. He notes that 400 schools were affected, impacting hundreds of thousands of children. Working with Manos Unidas, the priest focuses on educational support and humanitarian aid across 24 schools. Despite the ongoing crisis and political instability, Rodríguez expresses hope for Venezuela's recovery, citing the solidarity shown by the Venezuelan people in the aftermath of the disaster.
Samaritan's Purse operates a maternal health clinic in a border city in Colombia, near the Venezuelan frontier. Since 2019, the facility has provided free medical care, nutritional support, and psychological counseling to over 12,000 women. The outlet reports that many patients are Venezuelan migrants fleeing hyperinflation and high healthcare costs. Stories from beneficiaries highlight the clinic's role as a refuge for expectant mothers who cannot afford treatment in Venezuela. The center also offers childcare and discipleship programs for accompanying children. This aid addresses critical health gaps for vulnerable populations in the region.
The Ostrava-Opava diocese podcast features salesian nun Jarmila Chorovská, who has spent eighteen years as a missionary in the Amazon rainforest. According to the outlet, she lived among the Yanomami tribe in Venezuela for most of that time, with a three-year break. Chorovská describes their lifestyle in open-roofed communal houses and their daily activities in the forest. The interview explores how she integrated into their community and what Christians can learn from their faith practices. The episode is available on Spotify, podcasty.cz, and the diocese's YouTube channel.
Caritas Internationalis argues that donor governments and agencies must prioritize local leadership in humanitarian aid. Representatives from Venezuela and Chad highlight that while local organizations are first responders, they lack decision-making power and direct funding. The group calls for a new Grand Bargain approach that transfers authority, provides flexible multi-year funding, and shares risks with national actors. This shift aims to make aid more effective by aligning with principles of subsidiarity and solidarity, ensuring those closest to crises lead the response. The call comes ahead of a Geneva meeting on humanitarian system reform.
Samaritan's Purse is providing humanitarian aid in Venezuela and Nepal following natural disasters. In Venezuela, the organization operates an emergency field hospital that has treated over 13,000 patients and performed more than 645 surgeries. Teams are also distributing clean water and shelter to displaced families. In Nepal, a glacial collapse triggered flash floods that killed more than 1,400 people. Samaritan's Purse deployed a team to support local church partners, supplying relief items to over 3,300 families. The outlet reports that these efforts aim to provide immediate relief and strengthen local community resilience in both countries.
The Catholic Church in Brazil has raised R$ 2,921,575.76 through the 'SOS Venezuela' campaign to aid families affected by recent earthquakes. According to the CNBB, these funds will be transferred to Cáritas Venezuela to support reconstruction efforts. The disaster, which struck in June, caused thousands of deaths and displaced over a million people, as reported by UN data. Archbishop Mário Antônio of Aparecida confirmed the money will help rebuild homes and restore livelihoods, ensuring no political or individual gain. The initiative involved multiple Brazilian religious and humanitarian organizations responding to the humanitarian crisis.
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