The bishops describe the historic event as a timely opportunity to inspire gestures of forgiveness, justice, and fraternal unity among Venezuelans. Photo: Revista SIC.
Guacamaya, October 8, 2025. The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference (CEV) has called on the government to take “acts of grace” to release political prisoners in the country, in light of the upcoming canonization of Venezuela’s first two saints: Dr. José Gregorio Hernández and Mother Carmen Rendiles.
The historic event, set to take place on October 19 in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, is seen by Venezuelan bishops as a timely occasion for reconciliation and social commitment. In their pastoral letter dated Tuesday, October 7, they argue that such action “would foster peace and harmony” for the families of those imprisoned, as well as for society at large.
“If Dr. Hernández and Mother Carmen Rendiles were artisans of peace and hope, their canonization should inspire us to work decisively so that this peace may dwell in the hearts of all Venezuelans and to promote signs of hope in tune with the proposals of the Jubilee Year,” the document adds.
According to the latest report from the organization Foro Penal, Venezuela currently holds 838 political prisoners—735 men and 103 women. Of these, 665 are military personnel and 173 civilians; additionally, 94 are foreign nationals and four are minors. Most of the arrests occurred after the July 2024 presidential elections, amid allegations of electoral fraud.
The canonization of Hernández, known as the “doctor of the poor,” and of the religious figure Carmen Rendiles, founder of the Congregation of the “Servants of Jesus,” will be commemorated in Venezuela with a major Pastoral Celebration at the Monumental Simón Bolívar Stadium in Caracas.
The Venezuelan government has already begun preparations in terms of security and logistics for the event, which is expected to draw more than 30,000 devotees on Saturday, October 25—one week after the official ceremony in Rome. Caracas Mayor Carmen Meléndez announced a security plan involving Civil Protection and state agencies, along with giant screens.
The CEV’s appeal seeks to ensure that the canonization sparks a “profound reflection” on Venezuela’s present and future. It also frames the call for the release of those imprisoned for political reasons as an act that would promote peace and social justice in the country.
