The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration stand with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, which represents more than 180 congregations of Catholic Sisters, with deep concern for the people of Venezuela.
Recognizing the dignity of all people and reverencing all creation are core to our Franciscan values. The people of Venezuela are enduring profound humanitarian suffering, with millions lacking basic human needs. As Franciscans, we’re called to stand with the suffering, affirm the dignity of every person and work toward an ecological conversion that promotes peace and justice for all. We care about the protection of the planet and its fragile ecosystems during this serious climate crisis and support systems that foster further independence from natural resources such as oil.
Together with LCWR, we affirm the power of dialogue, negotiation and diplomacy over military action. We call upon the United States Congress to exercise its constitutional and moral responsibility to address any use of force that violates our shared commitment to protect and promote human life and the common good.
We urge the Administration and all members of Congress to cease any military involvement in Venezuela and to support international efforts that foster fair elections, a peaceful transfer of power, and conditions in which democracy can truly flourish. The people of Venezuela deserve the freedom to determine their own future without coercion, violence or external domination. We recognize that these same threats endanger other countries throughout Latin America and globally. We affirm our solidarity with all peoples whose sovereignty, dignity, and democratic aspirations are placed at risk by similar forces.
We also call upon people of faith to commit themselves to prayer for the people of Venezuela and for the discernment of global leaders, that decisions may be guided by wisdom, restraint, respect for human life and a genuine concern for the common good.
This moment calls us to be people who remain informed, who listen deeply to all voices and who engage in serious and prayerful discernment. We refuse to contribute to hatred, fear, division or violence. Instead, we claim our moral authority as bearers of love and as people of hope, trusting that faithful action grounded in compassion and courage can shape a future worthy of our shared humanity.
Action
Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026
Community March
Noon, corner of 4th and State Streets
La Crosse, Wisconsin
Organizers: a coalition of students, community members and labor activists
*Pre-event sign-making gathering Saturday, Jan. 10, 10:30 a.m. at Root Note, 115 4th St. S., La Crosse
More information: https://wibailoutpeople.org/2026/01/06/la-crosse-january-11-2026-reject-u-s-war-with-venezuela-no-blood-for-oil/
Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026
Peace Prayer Service
4 - 4:45 p.m., Mary of the Angels Chapel, 701 Franciscan Way or online
La Crosse, Wisconsin
Host: Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
All are invited to join in person or online as we come together to join the global community to pray for a world where peace prevails over violence. Our prayer service includes Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82267779899
Prayer service guide available here
Ongoing
Tell President Trump and your members of Congress to stop the war on Venezuela
Organizer: Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns
Send a message: https://maryknollogc.org/action/take-action-to-stop-a-war-on-venezuela/
“War is never the answer. It will only bring more instability and suffering. We call on the Trump Administration to cease all hostilities against Venezuela. We call on Congress to reclaim its constitutional authority over war powers and demand a stop to the violence. We echo the words of Pope Leo XIV and his predecessors: ‘In today’s dramatic context of a third world war fought piecemeal … I too appeal to the powerful of the world by repeating these ever-relevant words: never again war!’
Other statements of note
Vatican News
Pope Leo: “Overcome violence, safeguard country’s sovereignty.”
Pax Christi International
"We will continue to uphold the principle of the self-determination of peoples and stand in solidarity with the Venezuelan people in the respect for their human rights."
NETWORK (Facebook)
"This Administration is immorally putting at risk both the lives of American and Venezuelan people to exploit Venezuela's vast oil resources."