Mexico Masses cancelled amid violence fears

The Diocese of Cuernavaca has suspended evening Masses due to insecurity in the city and surrounding state of Morelos, a reflection of the violence raging in parts of Mexico and its impact on the Catholic Church.

Bishop Ramon Castro Castro of Cuernavaca said church services would not be celebrated after dark because people in the region just south of Mexico City did not want to venture out of their homes after dark.

Situations

“These are situations where people are scared. It’s a fear that paralyzes them,” Bishop Castro told local media.

“There are many people I know who have nothing to do with organised crime, but find themselves affected by this violence and have changed their lifestyle,” he said, adding church attendance is the southern and eastern parts of Morelos – a small state that borders the national capital –has dropped due to insecurity.

Mexico has had high rates of violence and homicide over the past 13 years as the country launched a crackdown on drug cartels and organised crime.