Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Durango (Agenzia Fides) – “We have seen how this bloodshed is tearing apart our country. We feel this pain because it has hurt our people and our families; it has been an attack on what is most sacred: life itself.” These were the words of the Bishops of the ecclesiastical circumscription of Durango, which includes Durango, Mazatlan, Torreon, and El Salto, in a Message they sent out following their First Provincial Encounter and in which they speak firmly against the climate of violence and insecurity that is spreading through the province and the country.
“The violence, insecurity, kidnapping, and drug trafficking,” the Message says, “are all facts that seem to be spreading among our citizens and run the risk of becoming something that is considered normal and a natural part of life, no longer causing shock or indignation.” They also denounce the fact that what was only a conflict among gangs has now extended to civil society. They mention the case of an attack that took place on the evening of September 15, in the city of Morelia, where innocent lives were taken, as well as the murder of three people, well-known in the state of Durango, the news of which the Bishops received while they were in their meeting.
In light of this situation of increased violence and the spread of drug abuse, the Bishops show their great concern for how this is affecting the family and the fabric of society as a whole, especially in Durango as it is an “area especially inhabited by organized crime,” on account of its geographic location.
Among the causes of these evils, the Bishops mention “poverty, marginalization, the existence of scandalous social and economic inequality, corruption and impunity, as well as a general disregard for the poorest of the poor on the part of various institutions,” all of which are symptoms of “a social decadence that began long ago.”
With all this in mind, the Bishops look with hope towards the 75 commitments in the National Security, Justice, and Legal Agreement which came out of the meeting held by the National Public Security Council, convened by the President of Mexico in Mexico City, with the participation of the political leaders and representatives of the legislative and judicial branches of government, as well as from social organizations. The Church also assumes her own responsibility in these agreements, the Bishops mentioned.
They also made an appeal to all those involved in the violence and drug trafficking, asking that they “repent and change their lives.” Addressing the authorities, they asked that they work “to recuperate the tranquility and fight against impunity, corruption, and the other vices that lead to death in our society.”
“May no one give in to this evil! May we not be discouraged! We believe in a love that is stronger than death and all that leads to death! May we be men and women who work for peace,” the Bishops said at the close of their Message. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 19/9/2008)
