Mexican bishops condemn drug-related violence affecting the country

Mexico City, Mexico, Jun 16, 2005 / 22:00 pm

The Bishops’ Conference of Mexico is denouncing the wave of drug trafficking violence that has spread across the northeastern region of the country in recent weeks.

During a press conference, the Permanent Council of the Bishops’ Conference said that the security operations launched by the government are a response to the urgency of the situation, but that long-term solutions that address the roots of the problem are needed.  The bishops said the problem would continue to grow “unless the complicity between authorities and traffickers is not stopped.” 

Bishop Alonso Gerardo Garza Treviño of Piedras Negras noted the dangers of allowing Mexican society to be overrun by drug trafficking.  “Each one of us should take our place in society and be mature, because on this way can we Mexicans help to save our country,” he said.

The bishop acknowledged that in financial matters the country has already been overrun if one looks at the government proposals to combat this evil and at the methods of drug trafficking assassins.

The bishops of the Permanent Council pleaded forcefully with those involved in the drug business to repent and change their lives.  They also asked families and teachers to redouble their efforts to educate young people and business leaders, bank officials and society in general to denounce and reject drug trafficking and drug-related violence.