Pope Francis has often spoken about persecution of Christians, by Muslim extremists and even called it an “ecumenism of blood.” But on Catholic persecution of Protestants, he has been silent, even when traveling in Mexico recently.
For two years, 27 Protestant families had their water and electricity turned off in Chiapas, when the families refused to donate money to Catholic celebrations or participant in the events. In spite of the Mexican constitution’s guarantee of religious freedom, Protestants had to broker an agreement with local authorities.
At the same time, in another Chiapas village, Catholic official refused to allow an elderly Protestant man to be buried there. The man was part of 12 Protestant families who were expelled from the village for their faith in 2012, and have been living in a homeless shelter in nearby San Cristóbal de las Casas. The pope held a mass there, but did not address the persecution Catholics have leveled against Protestants.
“Chiapas Protestants have been banished from their home and land. Sometimes after having their utilities cut off, sometimes after threats of lynching. The day before Francis’s visit, one evangelical church was broken into and burned down.”
Often laws are meant to “preserve their culture.” For instance, “local authorities proclaim their village or municipality to be exclusive to one particular religion, prohibit the entry of members of other faiths, make participation in activities related to the ‘official’ religion compulsory, and attempt to force inhabitants who practice other faiths to convert to the declared ‘official’ religion.”
As, serious violations of religious freedom and tensions between religions continues, John L. Allen Jr., associate editor of Crux, said the pope’s silence on Catholic persecution of Protestants “a striking omission.”
Pockets of persecution reveal the underlying spirit and principles of the Papacy which will be resurrected on a global scale when the time is right.
“And let it be remembered, it is the boast of Rome that she never changes.” The Great Controversy, page 581
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