Mexico City, Mexico, Jun 7, 2012 / 15:31 pm
The bishops of the Mexican state of Baja California say they are disappointed that the state legislature failed to ratify a constitutional amendment that would have better protected religious liberty.
"The Catholic Church is deeply saddened that our lawmakers have not adopted this reform which guaranteed this fundamental right," they said in a statement sent to CNA June 5.
The amendment to Article 24 of the Mexican Constitution would have removed the current rule which requires government authorization to hold worship services outside of places of worship. An amendment to Article 40 also added the word "secular" to clarify the country's form of government.
On March 28, the Mexican Senate adopted both amendments and sent them to the state legislatures for ratification. A majority of states need to ratify the changes in order for them to take effect.