Mexican Government Called Upon to Protect Protestant Minorities

Traditionalist Catholics in the state of Puebla recently threatened to “lynch and crucify” about 70 evangelical Protestants, and Christian Solidarity Worldwide is calling on the Mexican government to protect the religious minorities, who sought refuge in a church and expressed fear for their lives. CSW has also asked the government to intervene in another town in Puebla, where local authorities cut off water supply to Baptists who refused to give money to a Catholic religious festival. Mervyn Thomas, CSW’s chief executive, said: “While we agree that the Mexican government should remain neutral in religious matters, this does not mean that it can stand by while the most basic rights of its people are violated. The Mexican government must uphold religious freedom for all.” Conflicts between Catholics and Protestants are common in Mexican states like Puebla where there are large indigenous populations.