Catholic Church Calls on Mexican Leaders to Change Response to Violence The Associated Press
go to original December 22, 2014

Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera of Mexico has called on the government of President Enrique Pena Nieto to change how it is dealing with the current wave of violence. The cardinal is shown arriving at the Vatican, in March, 2013. (Gregorio Borgia/AP)

MEXICO CITY – The Roman Catholic Church in Mexico is calling on the government of President Enrique Pena Nieto to change its strategies for dealing with a crisis of violence and impunity shaking the country.

Cardinal Norberto Rivera told reporters on Sunday that such changes “are absolutely necessary” and he emphasized that Pope Francis is monitoring events in Mexico with concern — not just the September disappearance of 43 students from a rural teachers’ college in southern Guerrero state.

Mexican church leaders will meet with relatives of the missing students in Ayotzinapa, Guerrero on Monday and will celebrate Mass, church officials said.

The case of the missing students has ignited indignation across Mexico and concern worldwide over the fact that the students apparently disappeared at the hands of a corrupt local government and that federal authorities took 10 days to intervene.

Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets, some calling for Pena Nieto to resign.

Rivera said that Pena Nieto “will have to know how to confront this, with the same or different people,” adding that changes in strategies and attitudes are needed.

Read the rest at The Japan Times

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