Chiapas: San Cristobal Diocese Social Ministry Warns of Increased Generalized Violence in State

@Internet

In a letter published on April 19^th, the Social Ministry of the Diocese of San Cristobal de Las Casas warned about the generalized violence in Chiapas and its impact: “We are in time of war. We are concerned about the increase in violence in the different municipalities, insecurity, migration, abandonment of the countryside, forced disappearances, femicides, human trafficking, dispossession of our lands and territories, causing fear, terror, panic, internal forced displacement and social, cultural, economic, political, religious destabilization, paralyzing society in general, deteriorating the social fabric”, it declared.

Among the elements of greatest concern, it identified the lack of opportunities for young people as well as the increase in the cost of the basic food basket as “organized crime recruits young people every day, encouraging them with a better life by offering them easy money.” Likewise, it spoke out against the “harassment, criminalization, persecution, disappearance, and imprisonment of human rights defenders and community leaders.”

Due to the above, the diocesan Social Pastoral Ministry motivated the faithful not to lower their “arms to the announcement of the Word of God and denunciation of injustices.” More broadly, it urged that “as a society, we do not let fear dominate us, we continue promoting peace building from our families and communities. We urge a change in social structures and regulations. May there be a fair life for all.”

For more information in Spanish:

México: la Iglesia en Chiapas advierte de una grave descomposición social en la entidad (Vida Nueva, 21 de abril de 2023)

“Estamos en tiempo de guerra”, advierte la Pastoral Social de la Diócesis de San Cristóbal (Chiapas Pastoral, 20 de abril de 2023)

Diócesis de San Cristóbal exige garantizar la seguridad de la población por aumento de violencia (Proceso, 20 de abril de 2023)

Pastoral social de la Diócesis de SCLC: la paz es un grito que merece ser escuchado (Pronunciamiento completo, 19 de abril de 2023)

For more information from SIPAZ:

Chiapas: Diocese of San Cristobal de Las Casas Concerned by Increase of Narco-related Violence and Social Breakdown (April 6, 2023)