Mexico's Battle for Peace: Faith Against Violence

Mexico City/Königstein - Mexico is known as one of the world's most violent and perilous countries. According to a report on crime in Mexico by the National Citizen's Observatory, there were 15,560 victims of intentional homicide in the first half of 2023. Of these victims, 70.2% were killed with firearms, a crime that has increased by 52% during the current Mexican administration.

Mexico also faces a troubling issue with disappearances. Between December 1, 2018, and June 30, 2023, 43,119 people were reported missing and remain unaccounted for. The lack of justice for victims' families only intensifies the pain and suffering associated with this situation. Domestic violence has also reached unprecedented levels, with a record domestic violence rate in the first half of 2023, where two investigations were opened every minute.

The violence has also affected the Church, with five priests being murdered over the past two years. The most recent victim, Javier García Villafaña, was killed in Michoacán state while en route to celebrate Mass. Archbishop Faustino Armendáriz Jiménez of Durango narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in his own cathedral just the previous day. One month later, two catechists were shot down on their way to a eucharistic procession in the state of Oaxaca.

Recognizing the urgent need for effective measures to combat crime and protect the population, the Church and civil society members joined forces, organizing 1,002 discussions and 50 national peace forums. They also studied 298 successful peacebuilding measures. The nationwide mobilizations following the murders of Jesuit priests Javier Campos and Joaquín Mora in Cerocahui, Chihuahua, served as a catalyst for the Church's proactive role.

In the wake of these gatherings, the Mexican Bishops' Conference, the Conference of Religious of Mexico (CEM), the Jesuits, and the Episcopal Commission for the Laity organized a National Dialogue for Peace. This event was supported by the Aid to the Church in Need Foundation (ACN) and took place between September 21 and 23.

Over 1,300 people participated daily in this project, representing various groups, including businessmen, migrants, indigenous communities, academics, rural workers, families of missing persons, and the general public.

Bishop Ramón Castro Castro, the secretary-general of the CEM, explained that the Catholic Church in Mexico played a leading role in the National Dialogue for Peace. They formed different groups and organized an ecumenical gathering with Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Evangelicals, and Pentecostals. Additionally, they engaged police officers and government members, aiming to influence the fight against violence in Mexico.

Monsignor Ramón Castro, who is also the Bishop of Cuernavaca, one of the most violent dioceses in the country, believes that peace is attainable, and the Church is laying solid foundations to achieve it. He stated, "Our work is fueled by the suffering of victims. We want them to know they are not alone. Mexico possesses the energy, generosity, and intelligence to transform our reality and overcome this dark period that has inflicted significant harm upon us all."

The National Dialogue concluded with the signing of the Citizen's Agreement for Peace, a document authored by specialists. It calls for the eradication of indifference and violence, as well as the promotion of actions to be implemented nationwide, including the establishment of a National Peace Network to advance a National Peace Agenda across various social sectors. The document boldly proclaims, "Not only do we say 'enough!' but we also say the time has come to act!"

In a conversation with ACN, Bishop Castro expressed his gratitude to the foundation for its support, which made the entire National Dialogue for Peace possible. He emphasized, "We must not lose hope of being peacemakers, and we must not allow ourselves to be defeated by evil. The majority of us desire what is good. We should heed Pope Francis' words in Mexico and not become accustomed to violence because it desensitizes us to the pain caused by all forms of criminality, which is the worst affliction to the human heart."

Julieta Appendini, the director of ACN Mexico, explained that the support for the National Peace Dialogue was a concrete contribution to peacebuilding in Mexico. ACN remains committed to assisting the Church in Mexico throughout the peacebuilding process.

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