Gay Catholic youth group ministers in Mexico with blessing of diocese

Published: 2007-08-15

SALTILLO, Mexico (CNS) -- Noe Ruiz, 27, teaches elementary school in Saltillo, Coahuila's state capital, about 200 miles south of the Texas border at Laredo. Like many in northern Mexico, Ruiz is Catholic and actively practices his faith. Unlike many in his hometown, he is openly gay and coordinates a gay Catholic youth group, which operates with the blessing of the local diocese and serves 40 young people. But it has not always been easy, he said. "The environment here in Saltillo is very traditional," Ruiz said, although he added that attitudes were softening. Ruiz said Comunidad San Elredo is the only gay Catholic youth group in Mexico. While accepted within the diocese, Ruiz acknowledged some unease among Catholics in other parts of the country. "The church in Mexico is very conservative," he said. "At the moment we're being supported (locally), but there are many people that disagree with us." Last January, Ruiz's home state of Coahuila passed Mexico's first civil union law, extending legal benefits to same-sex couples. The issue divided Catholic leaders across Mexico and in Coahuila, which is served by three dioceses.

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