AMERICA/MEXICO – After14 years ordination of 9 Indigenous permanent deacons

San Cristobal de Las Casas (Agenzia Fides) – Nine members of the Tzeltales Indigenous peoples were ordained as permanent deacons on 2 December in the community of Guadalupe Paxilhá, Chilo city. The news was announced to the diocesan community on 7 December by Bishop Felipe Arizmendi Esquivel of San Cristóbal de Las Casas (Chiapas - Mexico) who presided the Mass concelebrated by coadjutor Bishop Enrique Díaz Díaz. “The moving liturgy filled us with hope, the celebration for the ordination of permanent deacons is a blessing for the diocese" said Bishop Arizmendi, after the Mass and he explained: "In 14 years this is the first time we have the ordination of permanent deacons, with all the necessary permission of the Holy See, and we trust there will be other ordinations, not large numbers but with discernment for each candidate". (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 09/12/2014)