Christian families living in the state of Hidalgo are under threat; their fundamental rights are in danger.

Mexico got off to a flying start in the World Cup. They were victorious over Germany and in the second round they triumphed over South Korea. However, after the celebrations, the Mexican Football Federation was fined ten thousand Swiss Francs by FIFA because of the homophobic jeering of their supporters.  It would seem that in the stands, Mexico has had less success than on the football pitch; the same is true about its human rights policies.

To the surprise of many, Mexico occupies the thirty-ninth place on the World Watch List for the persecution of Christians. In simple terms, that means that in Mexico, Christians are persecuted because of their faith. In the rural indigenous communities, citizens who refuse to follow the local religious traditions and habits are victimised and often deprived of their fundamental rights.  Protestants are frequently singled out for harassment. They can be denied access to medical services, schools and even burial rights in some local cemeteries.

Recently, in Hidalgo, a Christian family was refused permission to bury their new-born child in the local cemetery on religious grounds. This act of discrimination prompted OpenDoors to organise a two-day seminar in the State. Its aim was to help Christians leaders and members of the Christian churches fight against religious persecution.  While Hidalgo is only a one hour journey from the nation’s capital, Protestants are discriminated against just as much as in some of the remoter southern states.

During the training sessions, Christians from different cities of Hidalgo complained about threats made against Christian families, some of whom had been expelled from their communities because of their faith. The OpenDoors team challenged the local government about these complaints, but the accusations were denied.

Let us pray for these Christians, who cannot openly live their faith in their hometowns. Let us beg God to ease the burden of their daily lives. 

Translator: Ildikó Ungvári

Source: PortasAbertas