Catholic News Agency reports on January 9, 2026, regarding the statements of “Archbishop” Jesús González de Zárate, president of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference, concerning the United States’ military intervention in Venezuela. The article describes the “tense calm” following the capture of socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro, while highlighting the “archbishop’s” refusal to condemn foreign occupation and his vague references to “prudence” and “patience.”
The Silence of the Shepherds Before Caesar’s Sword
The conciliar hierarchy’s response exposes its fundamental betrayal of regnum Christi (the reign of Christ). While Maduro’s socialist regime systematically persecuted the Church for years, not one Venezuelan “bishop” dared declare him excommunicated for his crimes against God and man. Now, these same hirelings bow before new foreign overlords who trample Venezuela’s sovereignty. Where is the condemnation of the bombing of civilian infrastructure? Where is the defense of ius gentium (the law of nations) violated by this unlawful invasion?
“The bishops have maintained constant monitoring and discernment of these events, in a spirit of faith and in a climate of prayer, guided by the great principles of the Church’s social doctrine.”
This bureaucratic language masks theological bankruptcy. True Catholic social doctrine demands unconditional condemnation of unjust wars, as Pius XII taught in his 1939 Christmas Message: “Nothing is lost by peace; everything may be lost by war.” The conciliar sect’s “discernment” is but cowardice before worldly powers.
Naturalism Replaces Supernatural Faith
The article’s focus on temporal consequences (“supermarkets,” “vehicle traffic”) while ignoring spiritual realities proves the neo-church’s materialist orientation. Contrast this with the true Church’s response during the Cristero War, when Mexican bishops like Blessed Miguel Pro championed Christus Rex against atheist regimes. González speaks of “faith giving us reasons to live,” yet reduces faith to therapeutic comfort rather than the sword of truth demanding martyrdom if necessary. Where is the call to prayer and penance? Where is the warning that foreign occupation won’t restore moral order without Christ’s kingship?
The False Shepherd’s Omission of Divine Judgment
Nowhere does González mention Venezuela’s need for public repentance of its sins – socialism’s economic crimes are secondary to its spiritual crimes of establishing state atheism. The conciliar hierarchy ignores the prophetic duty to declare: “Unless you do penance, you shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Their silence confirms they serve the New World Order rather than the Kingdom of God.
Treasonous Recognition of Antipapal Authority
Gonzáletz compounds his apostasy by invoking “Pope Leo XIV’s call to ‘guarantee the national sovereignty.'” This antipope’s authority is null, as Paul IV’s bull Cum Ex Apostolatus Officio declares: “If any bishop… prior to his promotion or assumption of office has deviated from the Catholic Faith… his promotion or assumption shall be null, void, and worthless.” The conciliar sect’s leaders abandoned Catholicism when they embraced Vatican II’s religious liberty heresy (contra Syllabus of Errors #77-79).
Migration Crisis Rooted in Spiritual Apostasy
The “archbishop” laments the 7.9 million Venezuelan emigrants while ignoring the conciliar church’s complicity in their spiritual exile. When Venezuela abandoned Quas Primas‘ teaching that “nations must submit to Christ’s law,” it invited disaster. True shepherds would call migrants to return not just geographically, but sacramentally – yet post-conciliar “pastors” offer only humanitarian platitudes.
Conclusion: A Hierarchy in Mortal Sin
Venezuela’s crisis proves that regimes rejecting Christ’s social kingship inevitably collapse (Psalm 2:10-12). The conciliar hierarchy’s refusal to proclaim this truth makes them accomplices in the destruction. As St. Pius X warned in Pascendi, modernists reduce religion to “vital immanence” – exactly demonstrated here by González’ focus on earthly “dynamics” over eternal truths. Until true Catholic bishops demand Venezuela’s consecration to Christ the King – not empty “dialogue” with atheists and invaders – their words are but “sounding brass” (1 Cor 13:1).
Source:
President of Venezuelan bishops’ conference: We are living in a ‘tense calm’ (catholicnewsagency.com)
Date: 09.01.2026