MSC around the world, the Community in Venezuela, 2020, Pandmemic and Ministry

Venezuela is a country of great difficulties in recent years, some political upheaval, the challenge to the president, international support for the Opposition Leader, sanctions, poverty...  The MSC have been in Venezuela for over 50 years and have local and Irish members...

Like everyone else, the MSC community in Venezuela also finds itself in the middle of this current situation, and despite the circumstances, we are doing as well as possible. Fr Vicente Screene and Fr Tomás Jordan, who are the oldest, are in good health, the rest of the brothers are generally well. The issue of our pastoral ministry comes to the fore; it is not easy to be able to have physical and face-to-face contact in pastoral and ecclesial situations while living this quarantine at home. Both the Irish and Venezuelan MSCs are continuing to evangelize as far as possible through social networks and digital media, as well as responding to emergencies, and where possible bringing viaticum or the sacraments to families, trying to support the domestic church.

Vicente Screene

It is important to know that things in Venezuela are not at all well, and even more so in these times of Pandemic; where there are no supplies or materials to help care for the sick and those affected. The official numbers of those affected are inaccurate according to many doctors and specialists in the field of medicine in the country. Doctors do not have health insurance: they are true heroes. Likewise, there is an endless list of things that affect the nation and especially the poorest class (but also the non-poor as well). There is no water in many places, no electricity, no internet and no telephone signal. In many places the situation is going from bad to worse. There is no work and therefore there is even more poverty and desolation, especially for those who work informally.

There are many things that cause disruption to social, psychosocial, psychological and emotional life. Non-governmental organizations and church and religious organizations are trying to help in the midst of this pandemic with food and materials to protect against the virus, offering whatever they can to help.

However, to buy or acquire some items, in certain places they now demand payment in foreign currency, usually dollars. This is due to the fact that a lot of merchandise arrives from across land borders and merchants have had to pay what has become called the “vaccine”(a bribe/tax), which is a high amount of money that must be paid to corrupt officials in order to let the goods pass: food, medicine, surgical materials, among others. Of course, those who transport the goods also have to pay the normal customs duties and import taxes. It is a very complex situation to understand, but this is the reality now in Venezuela.

The MSC in Venezuela, thanks to the Irish Province and its benefactors, are able to help those most in need with food, medicine, chemotherapies, materials and other aids according to the needs of the specific case.

Celebrating 50 years of MSC in Venezuela

In each parish or ministry, every MSC is helping provide supplies through this type of social ministry. It is not easy for us to be quarantined, but each one tries to do the best that they can. We always appreciate the help and support of the provincial administration. The Region in Venezuela, both in Caracas and in Maracaibo, is working on behalf of the most disadvantaged, but our situation is very complex, and each day the number of those in need is increasing; we remain at the forefront.

This time has also served for a deeper personal encounter with Christ. Some of us perhaps feel as if we are living a monastic life, because it is not easy for us to leave the field of pastoral and social ministry to retreat to the cloister, but it has also served us for good and allowed us to attend to personal care.

 Venezuelan MSC community

Leadership Team