Cardinal underscores role of Catholics during Mexican revolution

Mexico City, Mexico, Oct 14, 2010 / 20:02 pm

The Archbishop of Monterrey, Mexico, Cardinal Francisco Robles Ortega, spoke this week about the role the Church played during the country’s independence and revolution.

During his remarks, the cardinal noted that Pope Leo XIII called on Catholics to participate actively in solving the great problems of the day. In the case of Mexico, he said, Catholics played a key role in addressing the social problems and bringing an end to the long regime led  by José de la Cruz Porfirio.  The end of Porfirio’s regime in 1911 found Catholic groups and the Church ready to offer solutions to the nation’s difficulties.

The Church “wants to continue contributing to the growth of the country, guided by her own social teachings,” in pursuit not of worldly power but of spreading the works of Christ, the cardinal said.

“As disciples of the Lord, we cannot remain indifferent to the future of our beloved nation,” he said.  “As Mexicans and as Christians, we feel doubly responsible” for contributing to the improvement of Mexico, he added.

While it is essential that Mexicans acknowledge the errors of the past, they must also be proud of the fact that there were many men and women, religious and lay, who were moved by love of God and neighbor to seek greater justice for their country, the cardinal stated.