Mexico City, Mexico, Apr 22, 2009 / 12:14 pm
Various Mexican bishops have rejected an offer by officials to provide them with special protection against threats being made by drug traffickers, saying security officials should protect all citizens equally.
Bishop-elect Salvador Rangel of Huejuetla said the state governments of Guanajuato and Michoacan offered to provide security, but the offer was not accepted. He said the lives of priests have the same worth as any other citizen who is in danger. The bishop-elect’s comments came as reports surfaced that a priest in the town of Cuitzeo received death threats from drug lords.
Bishop Javier Navarro of Zamora said adequate security should be provided to all Mexicans. “If priests are persecuted for what they say from the pulpit, for preaching the Gospel, the harassment is welcome,” he said.
Archbishop Alberto Suarez Inda of Michoacan said both priests and citizens “should take precautions and be prudent in their actions.” He also said Mexicans should trust in public officials. “Unfortunately, they often do not have the capacity to resolve these problems, but we are human beings exposed to all these ups and downs,” the archbishop stated.
Other Mexican bishops said they have not been threatened by the drug lords.