AMERICA/MEXICO - Consecration of the Bishop of Orizaba: active participation of the indigenous community in Náhuatl language

Orizaba (Agenzia Fides) - For the first time in the history of the Diocese of Orizaba (Mexico), during the rite of episcopal ordination of His Exc. Mgr. Eduardo Cervantes Merino, which will take place on April 24, the Xochicostcatl will be imposed on the new Bishop, i.e. a flower necklace that is an indigenous traditional ornament which symbolizes trust, honor and respect for those who offer a service to the community in the name of God and there will also be a reading in Nahuatl language.
The news sent to Fides from a local source reports that a group of lay representatives of the Sierra de Zongolica, indigenous area of this diocese, will welcome the new Bishop in the main square of the town and will impose the Xochicostcatl. The indigenous leaders will accompany him in procession to the church. For this event, which is of great importance for the local church, the presence of more than 20 Bishops from around the country, as well as the Apostolic Nuncio, His Exc. Mgr. Christophe Pierre is expected.
The indigenous people that speak Náhuatl is very large in Mexico, and the Catholic Church is closely following their formation in the communities (see Fides 02/10/2013). Currently Náhuatl is the most spoken native language in the country: it is estimated that about a million and a half people speak it. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 21/04/2015)