Elections in Mexico: Lay Catholics will hold a prayer vigil at the feet of the Virgin of Guadalupe

In response to concern about the social and political situation in Mexico, lay Catholics will participate in a vigil of prayer and reflection, with the objective of “praying for Mexico, for peace in Mexico and for the elections in Mexico.”

Interviewed by ACI Prensa, Rodrigo Iván Cortés, member and spokesperson for Laicos en la Vida Publica, explained that the vigil, which will take place at the “feet of the Virgin of Guadalupe” in the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, It will seek to promote a “fundamental” reflection on “what is happening in our nation.”

“The situation is truly alarming. The culture of death is advancing everywhere, attacks on the family, the cancellation of freedoms of expression, of religion, are the order of the day and, therefore, our civic participation is of utmost importance,” indicated Cortés.

The 2023-2024 electoral process, considered by the National Electoral Institute (INE) as the largest in the history of Mexico, contemplates the election of 629 positions at the federal level, including 128 senators, 500 deputies and a new president of the Republic. In addition, elections will be held for state governors, the head of government of Mexico City, local congresses, city councils, municipal boards and mayors’ offices, with more than 19,000 public positions at stake.

Given this scenario, the Episcopal Dimension of Laity of the Conference of the Mexican Episcopate (DELAI) has invited Catholics to join in prayer in the atrium of the Basilica of Guadalupe from 8:00 pm on May 23 until 8:00 am of the 24th.

They ask that the candidates “commit” to peace in Mexico

According to Rodrigo Iván Cortés, lay Catholics want the elected candidates to “commit to a peace that involves respecting life, respecting and supporting families, and respecting fundamental freedoms.”

He noted with concern how organized crime “is taking the lives of Mexicans” and, paradoxically, legislators are promoting laws to “take the lives of the most innocent and vulnerable Mexicans, who are those inside the womb.”

Likewise, he called on politicians to provide significant support to Mexican families “who are suffering greatly from organized crime, from the lack of job opportunities, from the lack of attention to health issues” and from what he described as “ the problem we have at the educational level.”

Cortés also demanded that freedom of expression be respected, especially when repression comes “from political power, they are cruel to those who want to exercise freedom of expression, when they are voices that are critical.”

He emphasized the importance of ensuring “the right of parents to educate their children (…) respecting their ethical and religious convictions,” as well as guaranteeing “religious freedom” in Mexico.