Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nogales (Agenzia Fides) - An unprecedented religious celebration took place on Sunday, February 21, at the border between Agua Prieta (Mexico) and Douglas (United States), and in a few months will be repeated at the border between Naco (United States ) and Nogales (Mexico).
His Exc. Mgr. José Leopoldo González González, Bishop of Nogales (Sonora, Mexico) explained in a statement sent to Fides that we are talking about the initiatives "Diocese without borders", which consists in celebrating one Mass on both sides of the border. On the Mexican side the Bishop of Tucson, Arizona (USA), His Exc. Mgr. Gerald Frederick Kicanas celebrated mass, while on the US side it was celebrated by Mgr. González González. About 400 people from both sides of the border attended.
"We asked all the necessary permits", said Mgr. González González. "The only thing that separated us was this wall, but the altars were attached to each other. The first part of the liturgy of the word was in Spanish, and one of the readings on the Mexican side was read in English. The Eucharistic bread was administered to the faithful on both sides".
Bishop Nogales emphasized in his homily that the border corridor is crossed by many migrants, who must be seen not as a threat or problem, but as an opportunity, "because everyone, as the son of God, has a personal story" he said. In the United States, he concluded, the Church is sustained by the faith of Hispanics, not only Mexicans but of the Latin American people, who have built history with the cultural background they bring. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 26/02/2016)
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