For the first time in its history, the Mexican Episcopal Conference (Conferencia del Episcopado Mexicano), the organization of bishops that represents the official leadership body of the Roman Catholic Church in Mexico, has called on the faithful to participate in a nationwide protest.
Two demonstrations are planned by the Frente Nacional por la Familia (FNF) in major cities next month to protest President Enrique Peña Nieto’s proposal to change the Mexican Constitution to legalize same-sex marriage in Mexico. The initiative is set for debate in the upcoming session of Congress.
A message signed by Cardinal Francisco Robles Ortega, the archbishop of Guadalajara and CEM president, invites parishes across the nation to support the planned marches/demonstrations in 60 provincial cities, including Guadalajara, on September 10, and on September 24 in Mexico City.
The CEM text said Christians cannot stand by in silence “in the face of moral and human deterioration,” and that the new law threatens “the anthropological foundation of the family … the cultivation of community values, and the ethical development of cities and peoples.”
Jalisco state legislator Mónica Almeida of the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) said everyone is free to have an opinion and protest peacefully, but rejected the notion that same-sex marriage threatens traditional partnerships. “One doesn’t eliminate the other, nor is one of more value than the other.”
Activists have filed complaints with the Interior Ministry (Gobernacion) charging religious leaders with violating the Mexican Constitution by speaking out against the proposed legislation, thus becoming involved in political matters, something outlawed in the country. However, Gobernacion ruled this week that no laws have been broken since the reforms have not yet been approved. The religious leaders are therefore entitled to their right to free speech, they determined.
Meanwhile, the Frente Orgullo Nacional Jalisco (FONJ) has organized counter marches on both days to express support for same-sex marriage and denounce the aggressive and hateful tactics of their opponents.
“Sadly, we have seen an increase in violent acts toward the LGBTTTI community in recent weeks fueled by comments made by religious leaders,” a FONJ press release said.
At a press conference this week, FNF coordinator Jaime Cedillo Bolívar said the presidential initiative “turns its back on Mexican families.” More than 1,000 associations that make up his organization oppose the proposal, he noted, as well as “government policy” in what he referred to as “gender education” in schools.
Francisco Montoya Camacho of Jalisco es Uno said the prospect of further law changes to legalize adoption of children by same-sex couples is “very worrying.” Children must be “defended” and not treated “like objects, prizes or pets,” he said. “They don’t deserve this.”
As it stands, the proposed legislation does not include wording that would allow same-sex couples to adopt children.
The Guadalajara march against same-sex marriage begins at the Minerva Glorieta on Saturday, September 10, 5 p.m., from where it will proceed down to Avenida Chapultepec. Additional marches are also planned in Lagos de Moreno and Tepatitlan. The start time and place of a possible counter march has yet to be announced.