Cardinal Baltazar Porras, Archbishop of Merida and apostolic administrator of Caracas, Venezuela, said: “State security agencies exist not to take care of the government but to take care of the citizens.

“Therefore, every order that is given that goes against the lives of the citizenry is an order to kill, it is an order which there is no duty to carry out nor heed, because civil disobedience is also a fundamental right.

“It’s a citizen’s right, a right in any democracy to be able to hold demonstrations and to say what [you think] will solve the problems.”

Poverty is a scandal

Writing in The Guardian, Rev. John Arnord, Catholic Bishop of Salford and chair of Cafod, and Rev. Christopher Cocksworth Bishop of Coventry and Lords Spiritual lead on Foreign and Commonwealth, said:

“In the suffering of men, women and children caught up in conflict, dealing with the worst effects of climate change or leaving their homes in search of a safer future, we see the face of Jesus Christ.

“In these moments, we must turn outwards, away from our own narrow self-interest. We put aside what Pope Francis calls the ‘globalisation of indifference’ that leads to apathy and omission of our responsibilities towards others.

“UK aid must always be a demonstration of our concern, compassion and altruism… What is best for British interests is people around the world [being] able to flourish in their own communities.

“Poverty is a scandal wherever it is found. The aid budget is one way we respond.

Don’t abuse God’s mercy

In his Angelus address last Sunday, Pope Francis said:

“We all need to convert, to take a step forward, and God’s patience and mercy accompany us in this. The possibility of conversion isn’t unlimited; hence, it’s necessary to seize it immediately; otherwise, it will be lost forever.

“In this Lent, we can think: what must I do to get closer to the Lord, to convert, to ‘cut’ those things that aren’t right? ‘No, no, I’ll wait for next Lent.’ However, will you be alive next Lent?

“Let each of us think today: what must I do in face of this mercy of God, who waits for me and always forgives? What must I do? We can have great trust in God’s mercy, but without abusing it.”

(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)

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