La Santa Muerte, 'Patron Saint of Narcos,' Rattles Mexico's Catholic Church Ruth Sherlock and James Fredrick - The Telegraph
December 26, 2016

Condemned by the Catholic Church – Saint Death Gathers Devoted Followers (AJ+)

Holding a scythe in one hand and a globe in the other, the Santa Muerte could be easily mistaken for the Grim Reaper. But to her supporters, this skeletal saint, affectionately nicknamed “skinny woman”, has the power to heal illness, bring prosperity and even help them find love.

Known as the patron saint of violent drug cartels for her relative tolerance, Our Lady of Holy Death is perhaps the fastest growing religion in the Americas.

...“From Chile to Canada, Santa Muerte has no rival in terms of the rapidity and scope of its expansion,” said Andrew Chesnut, professor of Religious Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University and author of Devoted to Death: Santa Muerte, the Skeleton Saint.

“In 2001 when devotion to the folk religion first went public in Mexico, Saint Death was unknown to 99 per cent of Mexicans. In just 15 years Santa Muerte has attracted an estimated 10 to 12 million devotees, primarily in Mexico, Central America, and the US.”

He added that the religion now also has followers across the globe, “including in the UK, Australia".

...In gifts to the saint, devotees mix traditional religious offerings, with their own interpretations of what the skeleton might enjoy. The alter at her bony feet has both gently flickering votive candles, and Lambrusco wine. Instead of incense, one man lit a marijuana joint.

These actions have only further incensed the Catholic church, who already viewed the folk religion as a blasphemous threat to its standing in Mexico.

Read the rest at The Telegraph

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