Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Cuernavaca (Agenzia Fides) - "It is an expression of weariness on behalf of society" and that, therefore, must result in a conversion of the heart: this is how Mgr. Alfonso Cortes Contreras, Bishop of Cuernavaca expressed himself, and is participating in the "March for Peace with Justice and Dignity" that began on Saturday, June 4 from Cuernavaca, and is expected to arrive in Ciudad Juarez (Chihuahua) on 10 June. Here, civil organizations will sign the "National Agreement for Peace". Mgr.Cortes Contreras also said that the structures of injustice, wickedness and deceit are the result of lack of values in society, and much of this problem is due to the disintegration of the family.
Despite the recent acts of violence linked to drug dealing that took place in Morelia, even during the Peace March, the local Archbishop, Msgr. Alberrto Suarez Inda, urged all citizens to transform the feelings of the heart and turn to God because the ways of death only leave destruction. "It is just the opposite of the Christian message: I invite all the brothers and sisters of Morelia to really put your hands on the heart in order to convert to God, our Lord, and to leave these paths of death that do not produce nothing but destruction", said the Archbishop, then observing that the root of the problem involves all citizens. Therefore, through the family, the transmission of faith and values and a complete education, people can grow and promote a gradual change in society.
The Peace March was completed yesterday, June 8, the fifth day of walking through the Mexican states to collect signatures for the "National Agreement for Peace", organized by the National Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity. The protesters called for justice to the state for more than 40,000 victims of the "drug war". Hundreds of the victims` relatives and members of social organizations across the country are expressing their rejection of violence.
Last month (see Fides 05/07/2011), the Bishop of the Diocese of Saltillo, Mgr.Raul Vera, had taken part in another March for Peace which, after traveling 85 kilometers, had arrived in Mexico City, with the aim to ask for the end to the militarization caused by the drug war and to say stop to the violence that has caused about 40,000 deaths since 2006. (EC) (Agenzia Fides 06/09/2011)
