The Venezuelan Church rejects the political use of Christmas

The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference (CEV) on Tuesday rejected the political use of Christmas, a day after President Nicolás Maduro decreed, as he has done in previous years, an “advance” of this season to October 1, without the announcement meaning any real change in the legally festive dates, but only in the typical Christmas decorations in public spaces.

“Christmas is a celebration of universal character. The manner and time of its celebration is the responsibility of the ecclesiastical authority. This holiday must not be used for propaganda or particular political purposes,” the CEV said in a statement released via Instagram.

The institution recalled that among the dates to be considered for this Christmas are December 1, when Advent or preparation for the commemoration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth will begin, and the beginning of the “liturgical season,” from December 25 to January 6, 2025.

On Monday, during his weekly television program, Maduro announced that he would bring forward the holiday “in tribute” and “in gratitude” to Venezuelans, following the presidential elections on July 28, in which he was declared the winner by the electoral authorities, a fact that has been questioned inside and outside the country.

“I am going to decree the advancement of Christmas to October 1. Christmas starts on October 1, for everyone, Christmas has arrived with peace, happiness and security,” said the president.

Following the elections, the country entered into a political crisis due to international questioning of Maduro’s re-election, which has been denounced as fraudulent by the main opposition coalition, the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), which claims that its candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, won the presidential election by a wide margin.