Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lake Guadalupe (Fides Service) - In a statement issued at the end of a recent plenary assembly the Bishops of Mexico shared their concerns and explained the questions discussed during the meeting. The Message was signed by the president and the secretary of the Bishops’ Conference respectively Bishop José Guadalupe Martín Rábago of León and Bishop Carlos Aguiar Sfid, of Texcoco.
At the meeting the Bishops assessed the internal function of the Conference as well as a process of revision to increase communion among bishops and dioceses, “to strengthen the historic, cultural and religious bonds”, a process which according to the bishops will “enhance the sharing of spiritual gifts and material”. The Bishops also completed the restructuring of Commissions consisting of a simplification to render them more effective and restricting them to 8 only".
With regard to the importance of upcoming elections in Mexico, the Bishops called on Catholics to consolidate democratic life and to participate in great numbers in the election with a freely given vote in conscience. During the assembly the Bishops met some of the candidates to whom they presented their concerns as citizens and bishops with regard to the country’s future: “protection of human rights, life, the family, education, religious freedom, sources of occupation, elimination of poverty, corruption in many areas of society, search for national consensus to allow structural reforms and human and social development”.
The Bishops indicated two other problems as reasons for concern: the situations of miners and migrants. Concerned for accidents among miners the Bishops stress the need for “protection of the life and health of workers and their working rights” they highlighted “serious abnormalities in work places and conflict and disputes”. The Bishops said the solution can never come “from violence or ignoring the rule of law”, but only “through dialogue and sincere contribution from the authorities, legislators, employers and workers”. With regard to revision of immigration laws being discussed by the American Congress the Bishops thank all those who have taken the sides of immigrant workers in the USA calling for “worthy treatment of our brothers from central America and other countries, in transit in our communities... and encouragement for initiatives to combine state sovereignty with respect for the dignity of the person”. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 2/5/2006; righe 33, parole 461)
