Bishops are invited to collaborate in the disarmament program in Mexico

The Conference of the Mexican Episcopate (CEM) invited bishops from across the country to collaborate with the federal voluntary disarmament program, an initiative that uses the atriums of Catholic temples as spaces for the exchange of weapons for economic rewards.

On December 17, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced at a press conference the expansion of the “Yes to Disarmament, Yes to Peace” program, which is carried out annually in Mexico City and in various federal entities. Sheinbaum highlighted that the goal is to extend this initiative to more states in 2025.

The president explained that the purpose of the program is to make it easier for citizens to “voluntarily surrender their weapon and are given economic resources, based on the weapon they are surrendering, without any prior investigation; “What we want is to disarm.”

The first national day of the program took place on January 10 in the atrium of the Basilica of Santa María de Guadalupe in the country’s capital. During the event, the president gave the starting signal for this expanded phase of the initiative.

They invite bishops to collaborate

That same day, the CEM released an internal statement signed by Bishop Ramón Castro Castro and Bishop Héctor Mario Pérez Villareal, president and secretary general, respectively, of the Mexican Episcopate.

In the document, the effort of the Federal Government to “involve the Church and the Nucleus for Peace more in its strategies to promote a culture of peace in the communities that present more signs of violence” was recognized.

In what was described as an “incipient attitude of collaboration,” the Mexican Episcopate urged us to reflect on the authorities’ proposal, addressed to “each of you, brother bishops, who guide the People of God from your local Churches.”

As a reflection, he pointed out that the “urgent demand for peace that our people express to us every day” should be a reason to “consider this invitation when the authorities approach you to dialogue, and freely discern and decide if the participation of your people is appropriate.” local Church in the initiatives presented to them.”

“It is true that we still have many pending issues to discuss with the authorities about deeper responses to this very complex problem, however, we invite you that, in each local church, according to its history and circumstances, an open disposition to dialogue can be offered. constructive,” the statement said.

Catholic Church, “refuge of trust”

Clara Luz Flores, head of the Unit for Religious Affairs, Prevention and Reconstruction of the Social Fabric, also sent a letter to the Mexican bishops encouraging them to collaborate in the “Yes to Disarmament, Yes to Peace” initiative.

In the document, Flores explained that the choice of church atriums as spaces to develop this initiative is due to the fact that “the people of Mexico see in the Catholic Church a refuge of trust and sincerity in which good wills and vocations come together.” to achieve a common good.”

“The Church has not only been a spiritual pillar, but also a moral and social reference, offering comfort in times of adversity and guiding society on ethical and community issues, as well as promoting a culture of peace,” the letter states.

To encourage participation, the secretariat committed to “include the dissemination of information about the risks of firearms possession, its problems, as well as the need to generate a culture of peace and actions to promote civic justice initiatives.” .

Finally, Flores assured that “promoting a culture of peace is a joint action, in which government and society must collaborate and coordinate our efforts to achieve the country that we all want.”