AMERICA/MEXICO - Bishop Alba: "We cannot allow criminals steal our streets, steal our peace"

Wednesday, 3 December 2014

La Paz (Agenzia Fides) – “We cannot allow criminals steal our streets” Bishop Miguel Ángel Alba Díaz, Catholic Bishop of La Paz in Baja California Sur (Mexico), underlined as he urged the Catholic community to take part in a 12 day period of special prayers for peace in Mexico in preparation for the national feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. (see Fides 28/11/2014).
In the past four months of violence in the streets of La Paz has left as many as 50 casualties and, according to a report sent to Fides, Bishop Alba Díaz encouraged the local Catholic community with these words: "We stand in millions against violence, we firmly believe that we cannot let a handful of individuals steal our peace. We cannot allow them to steal our streets and take our city hostage".
According to the local media, Baja California peninsula, once a quiet area, has become a battle ground for rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel. Bishop Alba Díaz is convinced that the cause of the increasing violence is a spreading drug-culture, which is beginning to take root even among children and youths sparking episodes of bullying and mobbing in schools and districts. For this reason the Bishop calls for massive participation in religious activities, to send "a clear message that the community wants peace". (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 03/12/2014)


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