Mission Today

MEXICO

Two Countries In One?

Being a Catholic in Mexico Today

Although Mexico is numerically the second largest Catholic country in the world, its Constitution and public life support a radical separation between State and Church.

Eighty-eight percent of the population over five years of age call themselves Catholic. In some regions, one finds that even 98% of the population is Catholic.

However, up to a few years ago a priest could not wear any clerical uniform and, even now, a politician talking about his or her faith would cause a scandal.  

Historical reasons

This contradiction is not due to conflicting ideologies present in the country but to historical reasons.

From the second half of the 19th century Freemasonry has entrenched its political and judicial power. Freemasonry is an international secret society that has the opposition to Christianity as one of its aims.

As a consequence, the Mexican government's hostility toward the Church - and vise versa - grew to the point of State persecution of the Church. After decades of bitter conflict, the 1917 Constitution created a policy of silence regarding the Church. Catholicism was completely removed from all dimensions of public life. Since then, Mexican society has lived under a policy of radical separation between State and Church. 

Slight change

This situation has slightly changed since Vicente Fox became president in the year 2000: the Church’s isolation from public life is now less complete. However, Catholic politicians are still marginalized. No law forbids Catholics to enter politics, but they cannot publicly affirm that they are believers.

Catholic politicians can go to Mass on Sunday but furtively, lest they be accused of witnessing to their faith. They have to struggle against a widespread mentality that seems to tell them: “You can be a Catholic up to a point; beyond that, you are attacking the Constitution." 

Greatest weakness

However, for some observers, the greatest weakness of the Church in Mexico is not being ostracized by the government. It is instead the great numbers of nominal Catholics. There are extremely wealthy Catholics, whose social commitment is nonexistent.

But poor Catholics do not always fare well. Once outside a construction site one could read a sign saying: "Protestant bricklayers needed." This underlines a common and truthful perception: Catholic bricklayers drink, do not come for work on Mondays, arrive late, and only pretend to work.  

Critical problem

The critical problem for the Church in Mexico, therefore, is education and the formation of the faithful. Unfortunately, Catholic schools receive no government subsidy and are therefore very expensive. Therefore, private school graduates are only a minority and, although they receive a Catholic formation, they cannot bring their faith to bear on society and its transformation.

On the other hand, there is the extensive and chaotic public education system, where students pay nothing, but this system also omits all mention of religion, morality or anything else that sounds like Christianity. Thus, the responsibility of Catholic formation of the majority falls entirely on the parishes and other Church communities.

Mexico is living a seemingly unbridgeable gap, a gap that the Holy Father himself referred to as "harsh". Perhaps one day there will be some way to reconcile the two Mexicos, but this solution seems to be still quite distant in time.

Mission Issues

WTO

Widening Divide

by Kate Robinson

bad news for world poor

The high hopes of developing countries and aid agencies for the recent meeting of the World Trade Organization in Cancun were dashed amidst the debris of its collapse.

Never before has the difference between rich and poor countries been more obvious. For the first time developing countries displayed the political strength and will to work together and created an alliance that was strong enough to withstand the divisive deals offered by their richer neighbors. 

Dust settles

As the dust settles, the events have become clearer. Unless the issues that have emerged are addressed, then the World Trade Organization will remain shaken to its very foundations. The time for rhetoric should be replaced with a period of reflection.

The alliance created by developing countries refused to be bullied into submission and demonstrated a strength and determination that is to be welcomed. However, the collapse of the talks was a serious blow to multi-lateralism and isn’t good news for the 1.2 billion who live on less than $1 a day. 

Out of poverty

The talks had presented an opportunity to lift people from poverty. Trade has an essential role to play in development, as the Catholic Bishops of Scotland acknowledged in their statement on Trade and Solidarity: “Trade is not inherently bad for development: it all depends how it is managed and conducted. Indeed, trade is essential for development because… the income that a country and its people earn from trade, unlike aid or debt cancellation, does not depend on the good will of others. Trade develops people’s capacity to meet their own needs, and builds mutual and sustainable economic relations between peoples.” 

Why failure?

With so much at stake and so many people’s hopes and lives relying upon just trade rules, why did Cancun fail? It could be argued that rich, industrialized nations generally dominate proceedings and were taken unawares by the unexpected determination of developing countries to make the talks work for them. The WTO as an institution has traditionally reflected the wishes of the industrialized countries. Undoubtedly the power shift caught everyone unawares. Developing countries remained firm in their belief that new issues like investment should not be added to the agenda. They had consistently voiced their opposition to such discussions but it was only when the talks teetered on the edge that the strength of their stance became apparent. Rich industrialized nations were equally determined about their inclusion.  

Agreements essential

However it is to be hoped that talk of the demise of the World Trade Organization is premature. Internationally endorsed agreements are essential if poor countries are to progress. The many subsidies that rich countries pay their farmers have a stranglehold on agricultural production across the globe - a grip that developing nations will only be able to shake off when such subsidies are cut.

Developments in trade cannot be viewed in isolation and that is why the World Trade Organization must dust itself down and start again. The decisions of our governments and our choices as consumers impact on the poorest people. Therefore it is our responsibility to ensure that the trade talks in Cancun become an opportunity to reassess the structure and function of the World Trade Organization and a new foundation is created on which future negotiations could firmly rest.  

Fair trade

Speaking in Edinburgh recently, the Zambian High Commissioner, Mr. Anderson Chibwa, discussed the repercussions of the collapse and the role played by the World Trade Organization. Zambia is one of the poorest countries in the world and as such had much to lose by the failure of the talks. In Zambia life expectancy has plummeted to 37 years as the government is forced to prioritize between paying its debt to rich Western creditors or investing in essential infrastructure like schools and hospitals.

Carefully constructed and considered trade rules could help Zambia to buck the declining statistics and take advantage of its rich natural resources. The High Commissioner had this message for the people of Scotland and the British government: “Put fair trade in place from the point of production to the consumer and cancel the debt.” 

Strong statement

Debt, aid and trade have to be viewed together and the World Trade Organization is not the only way we can influence trade rules. Our shopping choices make a strong statement about world trade. By buying goods with the fair-trade mark, we are telling multinational companies that we are willing to pay a little more to ensure that the poor receive adequate reward for their labor and time. By using our power as consumers, we can and do influence the products that appear on our shelves. By using our power as voters, we can campaign for our government to place development issues at the center of trade negotiations and can echo the wishes of the Zambia High Commissioner by calling for the cancellation of the debt that cripples developing nations.

Meanwhile, our leaders must face the challenge of rebuilding the WTO. They must make it a body that works for the rich and the poor with development issues firmly placed at its heart.

Mission in Society

MARTIN SHEEN

Never Despair

INTERVIEW WITH ACTIVIST AND ACTOR MARTIN SHEEN

Martin Sheen is a pacifist, a social and political activist who has not shied away from putting his body on the front lines - and a devout Roman Catholic. After rediscovering his faith twenty years ago, he began his activist work in earnest. "I learned I had to stand for something so I could stand to be me," he said in this recent interview.

The star of The West Wing and winner of a Golden Globe award for his role in that show, where he plays US President Josiah Bartlet, Sheen has used his fame to call attention to many causes.

Sincere, modest, down to earth, Sheen is a reformed drug and alcohol abuser. The heart attack he endured during the filming of Apocalypse Now in the Philippines led him on a four-year spiritual journey that culminated in his return to Catholicism.  

Early years

He carries a rosary in his pocket ("Keeps me from cursing," he says) and is an almost daily communicant. Known worldwide by his stage name, this son of immigrant parents (his father was from Spain, his mother, Ireland) was baptized Ramón Estevez.

His early years were spent in Dayton, Ohio. The Estevez family was poor and, from an early age, instilled Sheen with strong Catholic morals and working class values. In 1958, at eighteen, he borrowed the bus fare from his local parish priest and headed for New York to pursue his dream of becoming an actor.

To avoid ethnic bias in hiring, he chose the first name Martin after a good friend, and Sheen after Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, who had a popular TV show in the 1950s. He remains proud of his Hispanic heritage and is quick to say that he never legally changed his name.

He's been married to his wife, Janet, for more than forty years and is father to four children, Charlie, Emilio, Renee, and Ramón, all thespians. 

Protest years

Over the past twenty years, Sheen has repeatedly protested political repression in Central America, promoted more liberal political asylum policies in the United States, publicized the atrocities of the Salvadoran death squads, supported the closing of the nuclear test sites, and marched with the Reverend Jesse Jackson to protest so-called immigration reform legislation in 1993.

He was also an early demonstrator against abuses by the Israeli army in the Occupied Territories in the late 1980s. For this interview, I met up with him at the annual National Religious Education Congress in Anaheim following his talk before 900 Catholics in a workshop on spirituality and justice.

Mission Log

BANGLADESH

The Happiness Team

CELEBRATING TWO YEARS IN A BENGALI VILLAGE

Maryknoll Missioner Father Bob McCahill rejoices that, having faced suspicion and gained trust from his Muslim neighbors, now is the time for affection.

Tuesday, July 1

Almost every Saturday I visit the Archbishop’s house in Dhaka to gather the week’s mail. More often than not I stop before leaving to enjoy a meal. It is late - 2 p.m. - so I eat quickly and alone. But never mind, the flavor makes up for the absence of leisure or company. Invariably it is the best meal of the week for me. Bengali cooking, in general, is superb, and the Archbishop’s cook does a splendid job. The fried vegetables (baji) he prepares are just oily enough, the rice fragrant and the curry deliciously spiced. I cannot imagine enjoying food more. This is a weekly treat of such excellence that it gives a lift, not merely to my stomach, but to my heart, as well. God be praised for tasty food. 

Thursday, 3

On an open stretch of road I encountered a short woman going the opposite way. She held a large child in her arms and was carrying a package, besides. How long she had been walking with these burdens was hard to guess, but she was sweating and struggling to maintain her pace. Whenever I see women like her it reminds me not only how much of family responsibilities women shoulder, but also how strong they are. 

Sunday, 6

An elderly man stood in the background while I conversed with several friends. After I had finished urging them to attend the local government hospital, the onlooker introduced himself. He is Wazid Ali Khan, a retired villager. “You,” he told me enthusiastically, “are like Damien of Molokai. I see you helping the poorest ones to receive treatment. Very good!” How surprising to meet a Muslim villager who knows the story of a modern Christian saint. “Where did you hear of Damien the Leper?” I asked incredulously. “From a book - he replied - thus disproving the theory that devout Muslims read only Islamic literature. 

Tuesday, 8

Last month Shahinoor, the school girl in this compound, married Biplob, a rickshaw driver from northern Bangladesh who also lives here. She kept herself scarce during their first month of wedded life, as in “I only have eyes for Biplob”. Then, today, she came around and struck up the best conversation we’ve ever had. Biplob’s parents had disapproved of their son’s marriage to unknown Shahinoor, but recently they sent a box of mangoes from home. It is an omen of forgiveness that thrills Shahinoor. She told me they sent the gift after Biplob forwarded to them a photograph of Shahinoor that I had taken last year. It makes me happy to have a wee part in this reconciliation. 

Friday, 11

In a hurry to get off the bus this noonday I left behind an umbrella. Never mind. Every time I go to Burma I buy a pair of new, collapsible, cheap, good quality Chinese umbrellas. Thus, I have one more to fall back on. How does this fit in with the Lord’s counsel not to have two pairs of shoes and extra garments? It doesn’t fit; it contradicts the counsel. Justification, if needed, lies in my special condition. If a guy knows he’ll probably misplace or forget half of his things, he may as well buy two of everything. 

Saturday, 12

Sister Bernadette Duggan, M.M., did a private retreat before renewing her vows last week. At the Mass where she pronounced her commitment she spoke of simplicity of life, consecrated celibacy, and communal discernment - the strengths we used to refer to as poverty, chastity, and obedience. Qualities by any other names would be just as vital to what we are doing in mission. 

Monday, 14

On the main street of Feni’s business section a woman wearing a veil was standing beside parked bicycles, apparently waiting for someone. Suddenly, the first-in-line cycle toppled. One cycle after another fell upon its next-in-line until a row of six had collapsed. The woman stood there dumbfounded by the surprise commotion and discomfited by the eyes of men who wanted to blame her. She squirmed and hid herself, as well she could in a baggy veil. A few of us realized we had just observed proof of the domino theory. The shrinking woman, however, experienced how easy it is to be innocent and suspect.

Saturday, 19

As I was returning home, balancing a few gallons of water in a plastic bucket on the back of my bicycle, a man of the neighborhood asked me: “Where is your mosque?” I stopped to explain: “I am a Christian. We worship in churches, not mosques. The nearest church is 27 miles west, in Sonapur Mission. But that is alright because I worship here (pointing to my heart). My church is where my heart is. So is my pilgrimage.” The man indicated his comprehension of my points. Muslims, in general, disagree with Christian doctrine but agree with Christian spirituality.