Mexican bishops call on new government to address nation's needs

Mexico City, Mexico, Jul 3, 2012 / 15:04 pm

The Bishops' Conference of Mexico congratulated the nation for holding peaceful elections on July 1 and urged the new government of Enrique Pena Nieto to address the needs of the Mexican people.

In their message – signed by conference president Bishop Carlos Aguiar Retes and secretary general Bishop Victor Rene Rodriguez Gomez – the bishops congratulated the winners of the election and praised the losing candidates and parties for "recognizing that in a democracy, the will of the people is what must prevail."

Pena Nieto emerged as the victor in Sunday's elections amid the country's economic woes and crippling drug cartel violence. Nieto's Institutional Revolutionary Party ruled Mexico for 71 years and returns to power after being voted out of office 12 years ago.

In their remarks, the bishops offered prayers "to the Eternal Father for the new federal government that will take office in Mexico, as well as for the senators, federal representatives, governors, local legislators and other authorities who will assume office in the coming months."

They also prayed that Our Lady of Guadalupe, "the patroness of our freedom, will enlighten them so that they can address" the needs of the Mexican people with care.

The civility with which the elections were carried out showed that Mexico recognizes "democracy as a privileged path for achieving the peace, justice and development that so many Mexicans desire," the bishops said.

"As pastors of the Catholic Church we are happy to see that our call to go to the polls in a conscientious and free way was heeded by the Catholic faithful and by many men and women of good will in our country," they said.