Bishops in Mexico call on citizens to build a fraternal country

Catholic bishops in Mexico are calling on all citizens to work together to build a more just and fraternal society at a time when the country is experiencing various "complex and challenging" difficulties. 

The "concern for the reality we are experiencing" calls "to continue collaborating in the construction of a more just and fraternal country, united and in peace" the bishops of Mexico, said in their statement at the end of the assembly of the Mexican Episcopal Conference, greeting all people of good will, sharing "the joy of believing and the great wishes of this people who have overcome many and various difficulties in their history."

The reasons for this special concern, in the "complex and challenging" times Mexicans live in, is the growing poverty, environmental destruction, insecurity and violence, drug trafficking and addiction, extortion and kidnapping, the femicides, the thousands of disappeared, the bishops said. They also mentioned the forced displacement of so many migrants who, in search of a better life, cross the national territory but unfortunately become “human merchandise."

There is also the threats to democracy, religious freedom and freedom of expression, and finally political polarization, "fueled several times by those who should promote unity for the good of the country,” the bishops said, urging citizens "to be sensitive to the current situation and not to stand idly by and look at the problems that concern everyone". 

Complex and challenging issues

Mexico presently is reeling under violence of all types. According to Mexican government and other sources, at least 50 journalists and 68 human rights defenders have been murdered in the country over the past three years. In the same period, 19,445 children and adolescents, aged up to 17 years, have been reported as missing. Of these, 5,102 have not been found, dead or alive. Overall there were more than 100,000 disappeared persons, the numbers rivalling those from Syria.

Gender violence too is on the rise. According to official data, 10 women are killed in Mexico every day, and homicide is the leading cause of death for Mexican women between the ages of 15 and 24. Last year, 78.8% of women said they felt unsafe in their home states, and 45.6% felt unsafe in their own neighborhoods. Also, between 2015 and 2021, femicides—the intentional killing of women because of their gender—increased 137%, according to official figures. Then there is also drug trafficking related violence. Mexico registered over 340,000 deaths -- mostly attributed to organized crime groups -- since 2006, when a major anti-drug military offensive was launched. 

"The bishops of Mexico perceive that the vast majority of Mexicans dream of and are willing to build a society in which we can all sit in harmony at the common table," they said in their message, inviting all to "shake hands as brothers" to find new paths in social, political and economic relations, that lead to build a better country for all. 

A democracy in peril 

Earlier, the bishops also issued a statement on the reform of some articles of the Constitution regarding electoral matters. "The defense of our electoral institutions is the responsibility and duty of all citizens. That is why we say together with millions of voices: let's not endanger the stability and democratic governance of the country", they said.

The election reform was constituted by Mexican President Manuel Lopez Obrador which has led to a controversial debate in the country. While the president maintains that the initiative responds to a clear demand from Mexican citizens, who want a reduction in government spending and the creation of new electoral bodies to guarantee transparent elections and prevent voter fraud, others are critical of the reform that includes the abolition of the National Electoral Institute, previously responsible for organizing elections, to be replaced by a new body to be elected by popular vote.

The Mexican Bishops' Conference said it recognizes "the important work" that the National Electoral Institute is doing thanks to its independence from political powers over the last 25 years to conduct fair, just, open, transparent and reliable electoral processes. "All institutions and laws can be improved, every process can always be improved," the bishops said but expressed concern at the new constitutional reform, saying it "is clearly backwards in its direction and reasons".