Our Response to the Crisis in Venezuela

Dear Family of the Sacred Heart,

What words can properly capture our outrage at watching the violations of human dignity that we witness daily? In such moments of darkness, we lean on our God and our conviction that God is indeed walking with us. This confidence in God’s fidelity is the root of grace, and it is grace that gives us the wisdom to discern and the courage to act. We offer this statement in the hope that we can draw upon our union in the Heart of Christ and be the face of compassion and hope amid actions that create chaos and fear. 

We believe that every form of violence, abuse, and misuse of power is a betrayal of human dignity and a wound to the Heart of Jesus. Wherever fear is used to silence, where force replaces dialogue, and where people are harmed in body, spirit, or hope, we name as contrary to God’s desire for life. 

We claim our moral authority as bearers of love and as people of hope, trusting that faithful action grounded in compassion and courage can shape a future worthy of our shared humanity. We refuse to contribute to hatred, fear, division, or violence. 

We recognize and resist the spirit of despair, which seeks to convince individuals and communities that suffering is inevitable, truth is too costly, or hope is an illusion. In the light of discernment, we name despair as not coming from God. Even amid fear, grief, and desolation, we choose not to surrender our courage or our commitment to truth. 

We believe that this moment calls us as religious to be women who remain informed, who listen deeply to all voices, and who engage in serious and prayerful discernment. 

We affirm the power of dialogue, negotiation, and diplomacy over military action. We call upon the United States Congress to exercise its constitutional and moral responsibility to address any use of force that violates our shared commitment to protect and promote human life and the common good.

We stand firm in hope, trusting that God’s Spirit is at work wherever dignity is defended, the vulnerable are protected, and people refuse silence in favor of justice, healing, and life. In this spirit we will raise and voice and oppose the actions that the world is witnessing. 

We affirm our solidarity with all peoples whose sovereignty, dignity, and democratic aspirations are placed at risk by similar forces. 

We continue to hold the people of Venezuela fully in our hearts and minds. We will continue to pray and work for peace while we denounce the violations of human dignity.   

We commit ourselves to pray for the discernment of global leaders, that decisions may be guided by wisdom, restraint, respect for human life, and a genuine concern for the common good.

We urge that the US Administration and all members of the US Congress to cease any military involvement in Venezuela and to support international efforts that foster fair elections, a peaceful transfer of power, and conditions in which democracy can truly flourish. 

We stand with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and the Confederation of Latin American Religious (CLAR) in objecting to the disregard of the human rights of the Venezuelan people by the executive branch of the United States Government. We believe that our stance is consistent with our charism as Religious of the Sacred Heart who are called to reveal God’s love, and our stance reflects the teaching of the Church in opposing the use of military force as a means of resolving political and democratic crises. We agree with Pope Leo that …. “The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over every other consideration and lead us to overcome violence and to undertake paths of justice and peace, safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, ensuring the rule of law enshrined in the Constitution, respecting the human and civil rights of each person and of all, and working to build together a serene future of collaboration, stability, and concord, with special attention to the poorest who suffer because of the difficult economic situation.”

Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ
Maureen Glavin, RSCJ
Mary Kay Hunyady, RSCJ
Lynne Lieux, RSCJ