The presbytery of Caracas rallies around its archbishop, Monsignor Raúl Biord Castillo. In a statement signed by the Presbyteral Council “on behalf of the clergy of Caracas,” the priests express their “adherence to the person and ministry of the archbishop” and reject the internal allegations that seek to “tarnish his integrity” and create division within the Caracas Church.
Explicit adherence to the archbishop and the Pope
The text opens with a quote from the Gospel of John – “That they all may be one” – and, after an “extensive consultation with pastors and priests,” proclaims the “adherence to the person and episcopal ministry of Mons. Raúl Biord Castillo,” as well as the willingness to “reaffirm our unity around his pastoral mission.”
The priests link that support with the recent words of Pope Leo XIV about the Bolivarian country, thanking the Pontiff for once again “placing his heart in Venezuela” and assuming his call to “dialogue, justice, and peace” as a guide for their evangelizing work.
In this context, they emphasize that service to the most vulnerable is “the absolute priority of the Church” and justify, on that basis, the role of mediation that the Church is called to exercise “even in the most challenging situations.”
Rejection of internal campaigns and defense of unity
The statement does not overlook the internal controversy, sparked by the clinging to power of emeritus cardinal Baltazar Porras, and the intrigues launched from his entourage against his successor, Monsignor Raúl Biord. Without breaking communion and without directly pointing a finger at the cardinal, the priests denounce: “We deeply regret some accusations that seek to tarnish the integrity of our archbishop and his pastoral ministry, generating unease, confusion, and suffering in many faithful.”
The clergy of Caracas rejects “any narrative that attempts to generate internal divisions or fracture trust between the pastor and his people” and proposes as a response “the coherent announcement of the Gospel,” giving testimony of a “fraternal unity” that is born of truth and love for Christ.
Describing the archbishop, the priests draw a clearly positive profile: “a pastor fully committed to the service of his flock, close to the priests, whose simplicity, intellectual preparation, and tireless dedication have contributed to the strengthening of our local Church, giving continuity to the work of his predecessors.”
It is a way to dismiss, from within its own ranks of the clergy, the criticisms directed at it and to present Biord as legitimate continuity in the Caracas seat.
Denunciation of repression and call for reconciliation
In addition to the closed defense of its current archbishop, the Presbyteral Council echoes “the cry of our people” and deplores “any violation of human dignity, arbitrary detentions, and any exercise of power that deviates from the common good.”
The priests are asking for “the restoration of justice, full freedom for those suffering captivity for their political convictions, and due reparation to families” harmed by exclusion or violence, recalling that the Church “cannot remain silent in the face of what deprives peace and hope” to the Venezuelan people.
The text concludes by reaffirming the clergy’s commitment to “working for a Venezuela where reconciliation, harmony, and full justice are possible” and invites all sectors to build a country in which “every citizen has a dignified place,” seeing differences as a richness and not as a reason for confrontation.
Finally, the priests ask to intensify prayer “for our Church of Caracas, for the person and episcopal ministry of Mgr. Raúl Biord Castillo” and for the peace of the country, invoking the intercession of **Our Lady of Coromoto**.
Full text of the statement
“That all may be one” (Jn 17:21)
The Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese of Caracas, after extensive consultation with the pastors and priests of our church in Caracas, wishes to express to the ecclesial communities, to men and women of good will, and to public opinion in general, our adherence to the person and ministry of Mgr. Raúl Biord Castillo, Archbishop of Caracas, and reaffirm our unity around his pastoral mission.
We received with profound gratitude the recent words of Pope Leo XIV, who with a paternal gaze has once again set his heart on Venezuela. His call for dialogue, justice, and peace guides our evangelizing work. The Holy Father invites us not to falter in the construction of a culture of encounter, reminding us that service to the most vulnerable is the absolute priority of the Church, hence its role as mediator in situations where it is required, even the most challenging ones.
In this spirit, we express our support for the archbishop of Caracas. We recognize in him a pastor fully committed to the service of his flock, close to the priests, whose simplicity, intellectual preparation, and tireless dedication have contributed to the strengthening of our local Church, continuing the work of his predecessors.
We deeply regret some allegations that seek to tarnish the integrity of our archbishop and his pastoral ministry, generating unease, confusion, and suffering in many faithful. As the clergy of Caracas, we reject any narrative that attempts to create internal divisions or fracture the trust between the pastor and his people. Faced with this situation, our response is the coherent proclamation of the Gospel, bearing witness to that fraternal unity that is born of truth and love for Jesus Christ.
In communion with our archbishop, we echo the cry of our people in deploring all violations of human dignity, arbitrary detentions, and any exercise of power that deviates from the common good. As pastors, we urge the restoration of justice, the full freedom of those who suffer captivity for their political convictions, and due reparation to families who have suffered the pain of exclusion or violence. The Church, faithful to its mission, cannot remain silent in the face of what deprives our brothers and sisters of peace and hope. We reaffirm that there is no fruitful dialogue without the sacred recognition of the dignity of the other and the cessation of all uncertainty about the future of the nation.
Today more than ever, we reaffirm our commitment as pastors, accompanying the people of God and working for a Venezuela where reconciliation, harmony, and full justice are possible. We make a call to all sectors of society to build together a country where every citizen has a worthy place, based on mutual respect and recognition of our differences as a richness and not as a reason for confrontation.
We exhort all the People of God to intensify prayer for our Church of Caracas, for the person and ministry of Bishop Raúl Biord Castillo, for those who feel wounded or confused by such situations, and for the peace of the country, so that the Holy Spirit may grant us wisdom, serenity, and unity.
We ask Our Lady of Coromoto to intercede for us.
Given in Caracas, on the 24th day of the month of January 2026, the memorial of Saint Francis de Sales
The Presbyteral Council on behalf of the Clergy of Caracas
José Manuel Vidal
Religion Digital
English version translated with AI