Archdiocese of Mexico rejects cartel threats against bishops

Mexico City, Mexico, Jun 3, 2009 / 12:06 pm

The Archdiocese of Mexico City has published an editorial in its weekly newspaper, Desde la Fe, revealing that some Catholic bishops have been been threatened by the criminal group known as La Familia.

The editorial states that despite the harassment, the bishops have not bowed to the pressure from these criminals. The same cannot be said of many local government leaders, police officers and business leaders, “who prefer to acquiesce to extortion rather than see the security of their businesses or families subjected to extortion.”

“Mexico has no other way out than to continue straightening out what at one time was twisted. There is no way back, otherwise we will end up destroyed by criminals and evil Mexicans,” it added.

“This entire history has its turbulent beginnings in the years in which those in the highest level of political power not only allowed criminals to act but actually allied themselves with them,” the archdiocese said, adding that, for this reason, “politicians from the past” should also be held accountable.

The editorial pointed out that the Church offered its support to the federal government in the operations carried out recently in Michoacan to detain public officials allegedly cooperating with La Familia and other drug cartels.