The Church manifests itself before the increase in violence

Ciudad Juárez— Through the Mexican Episcopate Conference (CEM), the Catholic Church today called for the conscience of all those who cause suffering and death, to invite them to repentance and conversion of life.

“It is not the first time that we have expressed our concern for peace in our country; we have done it repeatedly in the two decades of this century, particularly in 2010 in the Pastoral Exhortation 'May In Christ Our Peace Mexico Have a Dignified Life', which retains its value as a guiding document because unfortunately today very serious Circumstances of violence and insecurity persist in different states and cities of the country,” he said.

The message of the CEM entitled "May the Lord bless us with peace", exhorts all men and women so that in the different stages and circumstances of life they do not forget that the minimum gesture in favor of a dignified and lasting peace is valuable and irreplaceable.

According to monitoring by El Diario, to date there have been 76 intentional homicides during 2022, among which are three minors and 11 women deprived of life in Ciudad Juárez and Valle de Juárez.

Violence against women has provoked protests before the state authorities, as was the case of the murder of two lesbian women who were dismembered and left inside plastic bags on Sunday, January 17, on the Juárez Porvenir highway, near the town of San Agustin.

“Together with our blessing, we want to share with you a word of comfort, our closeness and accompaniment for those who suffer from different forms of violence that cannot seem to be stopped; a word of encouragement to those who are committed to building peace and to those who are responsible for the institutional framework that makes peace possible for all”, requested the Catholic Church.

He called on all those who cause suffering and death, to invite them to repentance and conversion of life.

“We are aware that the construction of peace is a task that requires our permanent attention and that we must carry out in the short, medium and long term, therefore, in our Global Pastoral Project 2031-2033, among the six pastoral options that we consider a priority, we point out in the first place the option for a Church committed to peace and social causes”, he stressed.

The bishops promised to contribute to the effort and called on all the people to do the same, to help each other, accompany each other and embark on the path of conversion to be artisans of peace.

“Lord Jesus, You are our peace, look at our homeland damaged by violence and scattered by fear and insecurity. Comfort the pain of who suffer. Give success to the decisions of those who govern us. It touches the hearts of those who forget that we are brothers and cause suffering and death. Give them the gift of conversion. Protect families, our children, adolescents and young people, our towns and communities. That, as your missionary disciples, responsible citizens, we know how to be promoters of justice and peace, so that, in You, our people have a dignified life”, requested the CEM in the face of the violence that is currently being experienced in Mexico.