Chávez followers presented a modified version of “Our Father” this past weekend at a socialist workshop, lead by President Nicolás Maduro, to continue the idolization and mystification of the late Venezuelan president. The new prayer was officially presented as “The Delegates Prayer” and unofficially as “Our Chávez.” The Caracas Archbishop rejected the prayer in a statement by Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino: “‘Our Father’ prayer is the official prayer by excellence, for all Christians around the world. Jesus Christ himself pronounced it in the Sermon of the Mount, and for that it is untouchable.” While the church expressed their respect for the late leader, they also reminded people this is part of their sacred patrimony, which is why, “it is illegal to modify, manipulate or objectify it. Catholics demand that “Our Father” prayer is respected.”
The church stated that whomever uses this version is, “committing the sin of idolatry for attributing qualities or actions to a person that are of God.” The statement released by the church includes a segment saying, “This prayer uses the name of President Chávez instead of God’s, our Celestial Father… It is wrong in the same way it would be wrong to change the National Anthem… Symbols, prayers and religious elements have to be respected.”
In addition, the statement made a plea to all Chávez followers and political leaders to respect the religious institution and their own followers: “We ask the leader of the PSUV (Socialist Party) that they end all diffusion of the supposed prayer, to avoid another issue that divides the Venezuelan people.
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