AMERICA/MEXICO - “Any collaboration of the Church in ‘drugtrafficking’ is not only without foundation it is contrary to its vast work of social assistance”: Bishops- statement

Mexico City (Fides Service) - In a statement with regard presumed donations to the Catholic of illegally obtained money the Catholic Bishops of Mexico declared “the Catholic Church is contrary to all immoral conduct...particularly when the crime is drug-trafficking which causes serious harm to so many families and to the social and economic tissue in our country and all over the world”. The statement is signed by Bishop Carlos Aguiar Retes secretary of the Bishops’ Conference
Recalling that the Catholic Church is among the institutions most engaged in helping drug addicts to recover and promoting conditions of social justice to save young people from the trap of drugs, the Bishops said in no way could the Church ever be involved in drug-trafficking this would contradict its vast action of social assistance.
The statement said that when large donations are received the Church does require the identity of the donor and if there is any suspicion that the money is of unlawful origin it is refused. Furthermore the Church does not allow people known to be involved in any sort of crime to be Godparents at baptism or sponsors at confirmation or to have any charge in church activities. (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 23/9/2005, righe 18 parole 245)