AMERICA/MEXICO - Soldiers and sailors, anonymous heroes who give hope to citizens scared by violence

Thursday, 1 June 2017 local churches   armed forces  

sipse.com

Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) - "The Church in Mexico is aware of the fact that at the moment our country is experiencing a crisis, where crime impoverishes the nation, because of criminal organizations that have expanded their networks, harrassing peace, which has resulted in the deaths of many soldiers and sailors, 'anonymous heroes', who are family fathers, sons of many mothers, colleagues and friends. This is why we express our solidarity with the families of all those sailors and soldiers who have generously embraced this vocation and, in realizing it, have lost their lives because of the obstinacy and the greed of few who take advantage of the ignorance and misery of many".
This is what His Exc. Mgr. Miguel Ángel Alba Díaz, Bishop of La Paz, Head of the Pastoral Care of the Armed Forces, and His Exc. Mgr. Alfonso G. Miranda Guardiola, Secretary General of the Mexican Bishops' Conference, Auxiliary Bishop of Monterrey say in a message published on the occasion of the Naval Day, sent to Agenzia Fides.
"Both sailors and soldiers are called to holiness due to their vocation - says the text - because they carry out extensive work in defense of the country, and because their military vocation requires a high degree of responsibility. Their presence gives tranquility and hope to citizens, scared by violence, of whom many have been victims".
The message quotes Pope Francis, who has asked members of the armed forces to be "instruments of reconciliation, builders of bridges and sowers of peace, because through their collaboration it is possible to contribute to an order based on truth, justice, Love and freedom".
May our loving Father give sailors and soldiers the gift of life, and not to be tempted to betray their vocation of service to the Country, to the institutions, but above all to their brothers, the people of Mexico, who need them so much, the Bishops conclude with an appeal to the authorities to "be reasonable in implementing their strategies to find peace, listening to the cry of the poor and the most vulnerable". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 1/6/2017)


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