Chávez opens up possibility of dialogue with Catholic bishops

President Hugo Chávez is apparently willing to leave behind his controversial relationships with the leaders of the Catholic Church, which led him in July 2010 to order a review of the diplomatic Concordat signed between Venezuela and the Vatican. Chávez argued back then that the agreement granted the Catholic Church some privileges that violated the Constitution. Last Friday, the Venezuelan Head of State opened a door to dialogue with the Venezuelan Bishops' Conference (CEV), although he harshly criticized some actions allegedly taken by some bishops.

"Alas, (CEV President) Monsignor (Diego) Padrón! Are you going to begin your administration that way? I am not saying that he is to blame. He said that he was willing to talk. I am also willing to talk, but not that way," Chávez told reporters after a meeting with Peruvian Minister of Defense Luis Otárola.

Chávez referred to some reports according to which the priests of the parish he has visited in recent weeks were moved to other parishes.

"They (Catholic bishops) have criticized me for visiting the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Coromoto... I was even told that the priest (of the Sanctuary) has been removed. It would be a terrible thing!, Chávez said.

"I believe that it is both natural and logical for institutions, organizations and groups devoted to public services to meet and exchange ideas, even if they have differences in vision, interpretation or proposals," said Monsignor Padrón in an interview with daily newspaper El Universal earlier this month.