Freedom of religion or belief in Mexico is a complex picture. Religious leaders are often seen as lucrative targets by criminal groups involved in illegal activities, such as money laundering and human trafficking. Violations also occur in some indigenous communities, where everyone is expected to follow the majority religion. Historically these conflicts have tended to arise between syncretistic Roman Catholic local leaders, and non-Roman Catholics. Failure to follow certain beliefs or practices can lead to various kinds of pressure, and eventually to being forced out of a community. Find out more about Mexico at csw.org.uk/Mexico

• Angelina’s water and sewerage services were cut off in January 2019 in an attempt to force her to renounce her Protestant Christian beliefs. Angelina and her family must pay an illegal fine in order to access water. Pray that CSW’s advocacy for families like hers would result in a breakthrough for them.
• The right to education of children from religious minority backgrounds is often violated. Pray that these children would not be denied access to school on account of their faith or the faith of their parents, but would be treated equally.
• In July 2020, Mexico’s National Supreme Court of Justice ruled that a group of Jehovah’s Witnesses who were expelled from their homes on account of their religious beliefs should be allowed to return. Thank God for this ruling, which sets an important precedent. Pray also that these families would be able to reintegrate safely.
• Pray for the families of Pastor Aarón Méndez Ruiz and Alfredo Castillo de Luna. The two men were disappeared in August 2019, after standing up to an organised criminal group that attempted to kidnap Cuban asylum seekers from the migrant shelter where they worked.
• Pray for Impulso18, which is part of CSW Global, and which raises awareness in Mexico and the wider region on issues concerning freedom of religion or belief. Pray for grace and favour on this work.

‘God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.’Pray Ecclesiastes 3:17 over Mexico today.

Thank you Father for those like Angelina who are willing to stand in the face of injustice. We pray that they would know your nearness and encouragement and that your justice would come very soon. Amen.

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