Up the Orinoco

The Roman Catholic Church is gradually regaining that position of eminent domain in Venezuela, which it enjoyed before Simon Bolivar drove Spain down the Orinoco and cast her out upon the Atlantic.

Hundreds of miles from the delta of the Orinoco and far inland from the sunny town of Caracas, are innumerable Indians who have staunchly resisted all white ingress. Under Spanish rule, Catholic missions were to be found along the river for nearly 1,000 miles, but they were abandoned.

Recently the Vatican appointed a Papal nuncio to Venezuela, one Felipe Cortesi, a brilliant young Italian. He was given ambassadorial rank. He became, forthwith, dean of the diplomatic corps at Caracas. He recently opened a Jesuit College, the first to be permitted since Bolivar revolted. Working in accord with Government, he is rapidly reestablishing the ancient missions. Last month it was determined that the Government should furnish most of the requisite cash, and the Church would furnish Franciscan friars to repenetrate the wilderness. The Franciscans will teach agriculture as well as religion in their attempt to civilize the Indians neglected by the State.

Venezuela* nominally guarantees freedom of worship, but accepts Roman Catholicism as its official religion and contributes to its support. Protestant work is inconspicuous.

* The first American mainland to be sighted Columbus (1498).