VATICAN ON SUMATE, VENEZUELA

C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 000027

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/22/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM VE VT
SUBJECT: VATICAN ON SUMATE, VENEZUELA

REF: CARACAS 340

CLASSIFIED BY: Christopher Sandrolini, DCM, EXEC, State.
REASON: 1.4 (d)


1. (C) Summary. Ambassador and DCM took advantage of meetings
with senior Vatican officials to press for a stronger Holy See
stand on Venezuela, support for Sumate, and a formal reply to
the President's recent call to the (now departed) papal nuncio.
The incoming nuncio was receptive and looks forward to arriving
in Washington for further talks with the USG on this subject and
others. Nevertheless, we see no likelihood of a change in the
Holy See's official (and cautious) position with regard to
Venezuela. End summary.


2. (C) During a call on Monsignor Pietro Parolin,
Undersecretary of the Second Section in the Holy See's
Secretariat of State (effectively the Deputy Foreign Minister),

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DCM raised the plight of the Venezuelan NGO Sumate (making
points outlined in reftel) and noted last month's call by
President Bush to then-Papal Nuncio Montalvo, and the White
House interest in the Holy See's reply. DCM stressed the
importance to the USG of the Holy See's role in defending
democracy and religious freedom in Venezuela.


3. (C) Parolin was not familiar with Sumate but promised to
study the issue. More broadly, he urged the US to review the
Venezuelan bishops' statement of a few weeks ago (presumably
that of January 11). The Holy See is very concerned at the
situation in Venezuela and is not satisfied with the
government's behavior, but the only way open to the Holy See is
to keep dialogue going. Do not expect a change in our public
stance, said Parolin. With regard to the POTUS call, Parolin
noted Montalvo's departure and said he was not aware of any
reply from the Holy See but said he would check into it. DCM
urged Parolin to consider support for Sumate.


4. (C) At a February 21 dinner hosted by Ambassador Rooney for
Montalvo's designated successor, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, and
attended by a number of prominent cardinals, Ambassador made
clear the US interest in having the Holy See as a partner in
Latin America to help promote religious freedom and democracy.
Sambi told Ambassador he understood; he commented that in
copying Castro, Chavez has jumped onto a dying ideology and
failed model of government. Sambi also indicated that this
concern about Venezuela is widely shared in the Holy See, and
many support the statements of retired Cardinal Castillo Lara.
Nevertheless, Sambi did not foresee any change in the official
Holy See position for now.


5. (C) Ambassador also alerted Sambi to the need for a formal
reply to the President's call to his predecessor. Sambi
promised to seek one and looked forward to speaking with USG
officials upon his arrival in Washington.


6. (C) Comment: the bottom line is that the Holy See is
concerned about the situation in Venezuela but convinced that
its only viable course is to seek dialogue with the GOV. We do
not foresee any change in this official position, but do see
value in keeping the Holy See apprised of USG views on
developments in Venezuela. We will continue to raise the issue.

ROONEY