Bishops take steps to end violence in Mexico

Bogotá, Colombia, Feb 14, 2011 / 13:01 pm

The bishops of Mexico recently met with Church officials in Colombia to discuss ways to end the violence that has claimed the lives of nearly 35,000 in Mexico.

Several bishops from Mexico attended the 15th Plenary Assembly of bishops in Colombia to seek guidance on how to deal with the violence that has swept Mexico.

Archbishop Carlos Garfias Merlos of Acapulco, Mexico reflected on the conference Feb. 10 saying, the work carried out by the Church in Colombia to disband armed rebel groups could also be replicated in Mexico.

He noted that while it is still uncertain whether the Church in Mexico will be asked to assist in ending the violence in the country, preparations should be made, as such a request could come “in the short or medium term.”

Archbishop Garfias later told Vatican Radio that the meeting gave the Mexican bishops a chance “to learn about the experience and the contributions that the Church has made to society in Colombia.”

Over the course of the Feb. 7 – 11 meeting in Bogota, Colombia, the bishops shared pastoral experiences on solving armed conflict and discussed elements that are essential for peace building.

The Mexican bishops received “excellent guidance during these three days, and we are bringing back a lot of ideas that I think will be helpful,” Archbishop Garfias concluded.