Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Barquisimeto (Agenzia Fides) - After the elections held in July last year (see Fides, 30/7/2024), there is an impression that an air of sadness, frustration and disappointment is hanging over Venezuela. Father Miguel Angel Bombin, during a visit to the country, reports the difficulties faced by the political problems facing the Venezuelan population.
"In Barquisimeto, where the Don Orione Work carries out most of its work in the country, the mood is not the best, even if the environment is calm and there are no particular tensions," reports the missionary. "Most people feel that their voice has been taken away from them, that their will has not been respected," notes Father Bombin, who is the head of the Vice-Province of "Nuestra Señora del Pilar" of the Don Orione Work, which includes Spain and Venezuela.
"The only hope is that something will change. Many are thinking of leaving the country again, we now have 8 million Venezuelans who have emigrated, and there is a fear that the exodus will start again, especially among the young people who have stayed here until now because they were hoping for something different."
"This difficult situation," he continues, "also affects the work of the Don Orione Foundation in the country. At the moment we have a day center for the disabled in Barquisimeto, and the parish, which carries out many activities, including a project with Caritas on nutrition and food. In the seminary we have two aspirants and three young people in training. We are also present in Caraballeda, where we have a preschool with 100 children up to 6 years old, and where we have been building a new parish for five years, even if the work is progressing very slowly. Unfortunately, it is not easy, we live day by day and are always struggling with resources. Since 2012 we have lost all financial support from the government and we continue to use the provincial funds and some outside help, but economically the situation is serious. We can no longer accommodate so many guests in the day center because it is difficult to find doctors or to guarantee them a decent salary. However, we are not discouraged and we see that Providence is manifested above all in the many people who come here as volunteers."
"Despite the difficulties, we continue," concludes Father Bombin, "and the Congregation continues to look forward, following that Hope that is the central theme of the 2025 Jubilee. Seeing how many people living with their difficulties are volunteering in psychiatric centers, in prisons or even in garbage dumps where so many people have to live is a sign that in these difficult situations the best in people comes out. They are poor people who help other poor people, creating closeness and solidarity. This is the hope that we want to live in this Holy Year."
Following the charism of their Founder, the spirit of charity that animates the Congregation of the Little Work of Divine Providence is not limited to a single human need but reaches orphans, women and men in difficulty, elderly and disabled people, young people in search of a better future, poor and exploited populations, and every human suffering. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 24/1/2025)
