March 31, 2006
Jorge Urosa, the fifth Venezuelan Cardinal calls for unity

(El Universal) - "Love and unity were the words Caracas Archbishop Jorge Liberato Urosa Savino -ordained Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI last March 24th - repeated upon his return to Venezuela.

In a mass he conducted at the Caracas Cathedral to celebrate his ordination, Cardinal Urosa Savino called upon all sectors in Venezuela to unite in faith to achieve happiness.

Both opposition and pro-government leaders and officials left their differences aside and gathered in the temple to hear the words of the newly ordained Cardinal.

'Facing the challenge of love is the path to happiness, co-existence and social and collective happiness. The gospel demands us to live together like brothers, but living together like brothers is also necessary for society, for the cohesion of the nation and for political life,' said the prelate in his first homily as Cardinal.

'The challenge of love is particularly serious for authorities and those holding leadership positions in society,' he added.

Cardinal Urosa Savino's words were attentively heard by government officials Executive Vice-President José Vicente Rangel; Comptroller General, Clodosbaldo Russián; Ombudsman, Germán Mundaraín; and Venezuelan ambassador to the Vatican , Iván Rincón. On the opposition side, the ceremony was attended by media tycoon and TV network RCVT CEO Marcel Granier, opposition party Copei leaders Eduardo Fernández and César Pérez Vivas, opposition Primero Justicia party presidential candidate Julio Borges and opposition Primero Justicia party leader Juan Carlos Caldera (...)".