Mexican priests work to ease tensions in polarized Oaxaca society

Published: 2007-05-30

OAXACA, Mexico (CNS) -- A year after the start of a bitter struggle in Oaxaca, local clergy are working to ease tensions in a polarized society while facing divisions within their own ranks. As the southern state grapples with the aftermath of the conflict that pitted a large protest movement against the local government and left at least a dozen dead, the church has maintained an official position of neutrality, calling for peace and dialogue. But a group of priests from communities hit hard by the unrest have become outspoken opponents of the state administration, saying it has exacerbated the crisis. The priests are demanding investigations into deaths, injuries and rights violations that occurred between June and November 2006, when the protest movement controlled much of the city of Oaxaca, capital of the state with the same name. "My position is to call for justice," said Father Jose Renteria of San Bartolo Coyotepec, on the city's outskirts. "We can help a great deal by promoting tolerance, but we can't forget justice or the people's dignity."

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