Caracas, July 11 (RHC) -- Venezuelan Minister of Youth Affairs Maria Pilar Hernandez said that an official meeting held in Caracas on Tuesday between the government and the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference was “a significant step forward.”

Venezuela’s Vice President Elias Jaua also spoke Tuesday with the president of the Episcopal Conference, Monsignor Diego Padrón, to strengthen ties between the two institutions based on mutual respect.

The agenda of the meeting focused on issues such as criminal violence and problems related to the penitentiary system, which can be resolved with the contribution of all sectors of society.

Vice President Jaua said he was pleased with this meeting, which is a starting point for the “normalization of these relations, and for the Catholic Church to participate and support the Venezuelan people and government in the great challenges ahead.”

Meanwhile, Monsignor Padrón thanked President Hugo Chavez’s kindness to phone him during the meeting “to ratify the vice president’s words when referring to the establishment of a very friendly relationship that is also respectful of institutional channels.”

Interviewed on the program “Contragolpe,” broadcast on Venezolana de Television channel, Minister Hernandez said the talks were marked by transparency, optimism and friendship; and added that Monsignor Padrón is also willing to meet with Hugo Chavez, as suggested by the Venezuelan president himself.

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