Nuncio Reports Pope's Concern for Mexico

LEON, Mexico, FEB. 8, 2011 (Zenit.org).- The apostolic nuncio to Mexico is affirming that Benedict XVI is "very worried" about the violence in that country.

Archbishop Christophe Pierre stated this in a meeting with students from a variety of Christian universities of Christian inspiration.

Earlier, at a meeting with directors and rectors of several universities, the prelate noted that one of the most serious problems facing Mexico, whose population -- according to the 2010 census, is Catholic in the majority (88%) -- is that "God has been put in a corner."

According to the Pope's envoy in Mexico, the second country in the world, after Brazil, with the greatest number of Catholics, "Mexicans in the majority continue to believe in God, but little by little values are disappearing."

Archbishop Pierre stressed that in Mexico "there are many persons who forget God, who is essential to man's life."

He continued: "If we live without this necessary longing, there will be people, such as the young, who will wonder: Why must I do good? Why shouldn't I kill?"

This abandonment of God and of values is witnessed especially among young people, the prelate noted. He called for the exclusion of ideology from the educational process and a return to an education that include universal values.

The mission and duties of the Church, said the archbishop, are to contribute to the education of the people "so that they will renew their path and live with hope."

Youth

He affirmed, "The Holy Father says that young people today live in the society and must be helped to perceive their humanity; they will not grow if they are withdrawn in themselves; they must be offered the possibility to encounter Christ, a Christ who loves."

Archbishop Pierre added that "a partial education cannot be the only one on offer, this would be terrible."

He affirmed: "Catholic education is an integral, total education. Reality is total.

"A soul that is not educated to open itself to mystery, to the beyond, will not offer young people the possibility to come across someone better."

The prelate said, "I am very fearful of state officials who work in the ministry who propose education projects based on a plan that comes from outside, such as all the sexual education programs."

In Mexico, since the constitution of 1917, according to the third article, education is or should be "secular, free and compulsory." This has been interpreted as meaning anti-religious education, that is, anti-Catholic. The Church is not allowed to have educational institutions and it is religious orders, under the umbrella of civil associations or societies, that can carry out this work.

Archbishop Pierre said: "It is in this field of education that we must penetrate and influence as Catholics in the public or private spheres because there is no difference.

"The Catholic vision of education is not to attack another religion; our education has a profound motivation."

The prelate highlighted Christianity's community ideal as the basis and foundation of the civilization of love. He said, "To think that we are autonomous, that we can go forward without a problem is mistaken, because we all need God."