The president of the Bishops’ Conference of Mexico, Bishop Jose Guadalupe Martin Rabago, told reporters this week that religious freedom is not a privilege for the Church, but rather a right of all persons and one which must be respected.

Bishop Martin Rabago, who together with other bishops had a meeting with President-elect Felipe Calderon, did not disclose any specific issue that was discussed with the Mexican leader.

“(Religious freedom) is innate to the human person and in no way is it a request for some kind of privilege for the Catholic Church,” the bishop said, adding that persons should be free to make their own decisions regarding religious affiliation.

In this sense, Bishop Rabago expressed the desire of the bishops to see that this right is “clearly enshrined in the Constitution of Mexico.”

During the meeting the bishops also invited Calderon to attend their next general assembly in November, when a new conference president will be elected.