【慈幼通訊社
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2017 年
4月
26
日委內瑞拉加拉加斯訊】
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一段有關一位年長的修女，試圖與一名士兵對話的影片，流傳到世界各地。這位修女是母佑會的修女，在委內瑞拉這場反總統馬杜洛的大型而和平的示威中，成為一個標誌。
數以百萬計的人民走到街上，爭取他們的權益，其中有數以千計的男女修道者。委內瑞拉主教團於前數天發表聲明，內容大致如下：「人民和平示威是無罪的。這是權利！不應過度鎮壓。」不幸地，有二十六人在首都加拉加斯及其他城市的示威中被殺。
聲明指出：「委內瑞拉主教團邀請所有市民、基督宗教信徒、男女善心人士，根據他們的良心，按照民主原則及國家法律，並如此行使人民的權利，以維護人民及財產、負責任及和平的方式，舉行公開示威。」
在最近發生連串激進組織針對教會及加拉加斯總教區總主教Jorge Urosa Savino樞機的襲擊後，教宗方濟各向Jorge Urosa Savino樞機，致送一則展示共融及兄弟友愛的訊息。激進組織甚至干擾在聖德肋撒大殿舉行的彌撒。
因此，數以千計的委內瑞拉人民，於4月22日舉行無聲遊行，悼念在示威中被殺的人。很多參加人士在遊行過程中祈禱。參加人士包括母佑會Esperanza修女。她與一名國民警衛隊在一起的照片，出現在很多報章的封面上。修女控訴已開槍的士兵說：「他們不讓我們經過」，因此她說：「我走到長官那裡，質問他為何這樣做：如果你們是委內瑞拉人民，我們也是委內瑞拉人民。」她又說：「我不會懼怕你們。」
有些人不相信Esperanza修女，並謠傳她並非委內瑞拉人。她頸上掛著的十字架，表示她是「母佑會修女」，以及她心中有著被釘基督的權能。
A Daughter of Mary Help of Christians: "If you are Venezuelans, we are Venezuelans"
(ANS - Venezuela –Caracas, 26 April 2017) – A video has gone around the world showing an elderly religious sister trying to talk to a soldier. She is a Daughter of Mary Help of Christians who has become the icon of the huge peaceful demonstrations marches that are taking place in Venezuela to protest against President Nicolás Maduro.
Millions of people have taken to the streets to claim their rights, including thousands of religious, male and female. "Civil and peaceful protest is not a crime. It's a right! It cannot be controlled by excessive repression," according to a statement from the Bishops' Conference of Venezuela published a few days ago. Sadly, 26 people were killed on the margins of the demonstrations held in Caracas, the capital of the country, and in other cities.
"The Venezuelan Bishops Conference” - the statement said – “invites all citizens, believers in Christ and men and women of good will, to act according to their conscience, according to democratic principles and the laws of the country, and in this way to exercise the right to protest and demonstrate publicly with respect for people and property and in a responsible and peaceful manner."
Pope Francis also sent a message of solidarity and brotherhood to the Archbishop of Caracas, Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino, following the recent attacks by radical groups on the Church and on the Cardinal himself. They even went so far as to interrupt Mass in the Basilica of St Teresa.
In this context, on 22 April, thousands of Venezuelans participated in a March of Silence in memory of those who died in the protests. Many prayed as they walked. Among them was Sister Esperanza, a Daughter of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) whose image alongside a member of the Bolivarian National Guard appeared on the front pages of many newspapers. "They did not let us pass," the nun said, complaining that they had started shooting. For this reason, she said, "I approached the leader and asked him how this was possible: if you are Venezuelans, we are Venezuelans too." And she added "I'm not afraid of you."
To discredit Sister Esperanza some people circulated the rumour that she is not Venezuelan. The cross that she wears around her neck is a sign that is a "Daughter of Mary Help of Christians" and that she carries the power of Christ Crucified in her heart.