Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Monterrey (Agenzia Fides) - "What is the role that we all have as citizens in this fight so that there is peace in Mexico?", asks Rogelio Cabrera López, President of the Episcopal Conference of Mexico (CEM) speaking about the dialogue that the Catholic Church has initiated at the national level with the aim of eliminating violence in the country. In an interview with Fides, Msgr. Cabrera, who is also Archbishop of Monterrey, explained that, through meetings, dialogues and forums, the local Church wishes to involve the entire community on what the path to follow can be to pursue this goal and promote peace. It is about guaranteeing security and justice in a context in which there is a growing number of missing people, as well as an increase in violence and crime. According to data from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System, Mexico registered 15,122 homicides in the first half of 2023, that is, 1.68% less compared to 2022. In June 2023, 2,536 homicides were recorded. In the 2023 National Census of the Federal and State Penitentiary System, it is indicated that in the 284 penitentiary centers throughout Mexico, there are 232,230 people detained, of whom 217,657 are men and 13,073 are women. Another relevant figure from the Ministry of the Interior is the number of missing and unfound people from 1962 to 10 September 2023, which amounts to 111,461. “It is not possible that in a country where there is no justice, there can be order and tranquility. That is why the National Meeting is important in which lay faithful, people who are in organizations that seek peace, priests, consecrated men and women and bishops sit down to discuss these issues that hurt a lot in our country," stated the President of the CEM. Recently, the Archdiocese of Monterrey held a diocesan meeting, called 'Get closer', in which ordinary people contributed their testimony about how peace can be achieved. “We have had meetings of businessmen, women, young people, consecrated men and women, seminarians, priests; everything to propose how we hope there will be peace in our state of Nuevo León and in our diocesan territory.” The prelate has also pointed out that for some time he has been working to promote the social fabric, mainly in popular neighborhoods, where people, in addition to violence, suffer from poverty and have few opportunities for integral development, especially for those involved in drug trafficking and criminal activities.
“In our Archdiocese there are about ten thousand prisoners, men and women, who we have to encourage, promote and guide towards a path of conversion so that when they are free they can be respectful of the law and respectful of human beings,” explained Msgr. Cabrera. “Another task is the ‘New Race’ apostolate, in which missionaries work with young people in street or gang situations, trying to convert them into missionaries so that they can bring the proclamation of the Gospel. The Catholic Church has the task of convincing that the way of peace is the way of God.” In conclusion, the Archbishop highlighted the importance of youth ministry and education that responds to the needs of citizens. (APM/AP) (Agenzia Fides, 13/9/2023)
