Mexican bishops call on government leaders to “learn how to form a consensus and respect differences”

Mexico City, Mexico, Aug 10, 2004 / 22:00 pm

The president of the Bishops Conference of Mexico, Bishop Jose Guadalupe Martin Rabago of Leon, denounced this week the political climate in the country, saying it has become contaminated by “verbal violence” on the part of some leaders and parties.  He also said, “We need to learn how to form a consensus and to respect our legitimate differences.

The bishop explained that “it seems there is growing climate of confrontation, of seeking to obtain what one wants through violence.”  He added that “the political climate of the country is certainly at a delicate stage, but in general the verbal violence is worrisome.”

After celebrating Mass at the Cathedral of Leon, the bishop denied that confrontation and verbal aggression are part of a democratic climate.  “Of course this is not part of a truly democratic climate, although at times there are some who say this is the path of democracy.  I don’t think this is true,” he said.

“Democracy,” he continued, “consists in accepting that something I want may not coincide with what the majority has decided.  That is the law of democracy, not that I impose my own wishes.  Therefore when the majority has made a decision, it must be accepted.  Otherwise we head towards anarchy.”

Likewise, Bishop Rabago added that verbal violence will not help to resolve the main problems facing Mexico.  That will require instead consensus and respect for the differences between leaders and parties.

The bishop also explained that verbal violence is proof that politicians do not know how to work in a climate of reconciliation. “This shows we have not been able to fit in with a reconciled society, we have not been able to discover, as citizens and authorities, the common interests of the country,” he said.