Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) – Mexican President Felipe Calderon met with religious leaders as part of a program of consultations with several social sectors in the country, to address the violence that plagues Mexico.
"A security policy cannot just be the government's policy, but it must also be a policy shared with society," said Calderon last Wednesday at the meeting on the third day of these dialogues (“Diálogos por la Seguridad") on strategies in the fight against drug trafficking and violence. The President of Mexico encouraged the leaders of different religions present in Mexico "to promote a culture of legality in each of their religious communities,” and thus facilitate a renewal of values in Mexico. "Your association and each of your members can help with their leadership to ensure a climate of peace and security through the spread of crime prevention programs," the leader added.
Religious leaders have urged the President of Mexico to do more in defense of the family and its values. The Cardinal and Archbishop Primate of Mexico, Archbishop Norberto Rivera, noted that, as religious leaders "they promote a new culture of values and this contributes to the fight against violence."
Another bishop present, Archbishop Ramon Castro Castro, Bishop of Campeche, said it was imperative "to create new Mexican hearts for a new Mexico.” He then added: "the family is fundamental in the task of defending peace and human dignity."
On the occasion, there were also talks given by representatives of the Jewish community and other Christian churches. Towards the end of the meeting, Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iñiguez, Archbishop of Guadalajara, asked the Mexican president to fight corruption.
Since Felipe Calderon took office in December 2006 and to date, organized crime has killed more than 25,000 people (see Fides 08/03/2010)
The meeting lasted several hours and at its close, Calderón said that he will need a little time to be able to see any results: "the problem of insecurity and violence that the government faces comes from years of incubation. It is like a big tree that has been growing for years and cannot fall from one stroke of the ax," he said. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 08/06/2010)
