Catholic Church asks for respect for life to achieve peace in Chiapas, Mexico

Respecting life from conception, strengthening family integration and protecting the most vulnerable are a proposal of the Catholic Church to stop “the high tide of violence” that continues to plague the Mexican state of Chipas in Mexico.

Through a shared statement This October 21, the ecclesiastical province of Chiapas — which includes the Archdiocese of Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the Diocese of San Cristóbal de la Casas and the Diocese of Tapachula — warned that “towns and communities are experiencing the anxiety of the presence of violent groups.”

Since September 2023, the state’s bishops have raised their voices about the effects on the population that clashes between criminal organizations have caused, especially in the south of the state, on the border with Guatemala, where organized crime groups clash for territorial control. This situation has caused displacement of communities and the forced recruitment of residents.

Faced with this panorama, the prelates invited the faithful to maintain hope and take as a guide the phrase of the Gospel: “Do not lose peace or be discouraged” (Jn 14, 27).

Protect life to combat violence

The bishops assured that to achieve peace it is necessary to “recognize the value of life, one’s own and that of others; respecting it as a divine gift.” “We are administrators of it, not owners. And life is protected from conception until natural death. No one can dispose of the lives of others,” they added.

They also pointed out that “violence should not shorten life” and that society must especially protect “the most vulnerable and the smallest.”

“Towards them we must act with understanding, support, justice and mercy. This gives us a master lesson: ‘the law of the strongest should not prevail,'” the prelates expressed.

Likewise, they highlighted the need to strengthen “family integration, serene community coexistence, care for and promote the hearts of children, adolescents and young people, so that they do not fall prey to the violent proposals in which they grow up.”

To the believers, the bishops encouraged them to be “prophets of our time” committed to “announce and denounce, but also accompany.”

On the other hand, they urged civil authorities to seek the common good, “far from alliances, agreements and dubious pacts, with people and groups that generate violence, destabilization, dispersion and death.”

They concluded by asking that “God our Father grant us all the gift of peace and to fully enjoy the gift of life that he has given us.”