Father Eduardo Soto, SJ, celebrates Mass with the community of Valle Verde

CHURCH

Church still bringing hope for migrants at Venezuelan border

As thousands of Venezuelans emigrate due to poverty or violence, the Church continues its mission by accompanying and bringing hope to people on the move.

By Sr. Katleho Khang, SNJM

Human mobility due to migration has been one of the most important social phenomena of the 21st century. This reality rings true in Venezuela, as thousands of people are moving out of the country in search of better livelihoods or to flee imminent dangers.

Emigration has impacted families and communities, leading to increased poverty, hopelessness, and anxiety for the future.

According to a 2023 report by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), there has been a steady increase in the estimated number of international migrants over the past 50 years.

The current situation in Venezuela has had a significant impact on migration flows in Latin America, and continues to constitute one of the largest displacement and migration crises in the world.

As of June 2021, some 5.6 million Venezuelans had left the country, with approximately 4.6 million having moved to another country in Latin America and the Caribbean.

As of June 2021, some 5.6 million Venezuelans had left the country

The response of the Church

In response to this phenomenon, the Catholic Church has not ceased to serve as a sign of hope through the more than 412 offices of Caritas in various parishes. These offices provide legal assistance, child nutrition, and services to pregnant migrants.

In an interview with Vatican News, Venezuelan-born Father Eduardo Soto Parra, S.J., a director of Graduate Studies at the Catholic University of Táchira (UCAT), provided insight on the efforts made by the Church in actively responding to the situation.

Listen to the interview with Fr Eduardo

Church-run institutions provide high-quality educational opportunities, experiences that promote grassroots solidarity, and youth and spiritual accompaniment, even in the most vulnerable sectors, and even sharing territory with irregular armed groups in the neighbouring country.

“We continue to discern on how we want to live this time,” said Fr Eduardo. “We want to transmit above all to families that have been fractured or diminished by the effects of Venezuelan migration.” He said that the Church continues to transmit the faith while instilling hope that a new way of living is possible.

Every month Fr. Eduardo organises community visits, group prayers, and social media outreach to engage young people and provide workshops on nonviolent communication, the culture of peace, and management in times of crisis.

As noted by Fr. Eduardo the Church’s response seeks to embody a humanity inspired by the person of Jesus of Nazareth, whose incarnation and resurrection demonstrate that God will never abandon His people in their struggles for a dignified life.