The Bishop of Cuernavaca in Morelos has added his voice to appeals for peace between feuding drug gangs over Christmas. Poet-turned-peace activist Javier Sicilia became a full time peace campaigner after his 24-year-old son was murdered by a drug cartel in March. Now the Bishop has joined the calls for a truce saying, ‘I appeal to them as brothers and in the name of God to understand that this is not the way of goodness, that this is not the way of peace, that this is not the way of life as brothers and sisters, and as human beings.’ The number of people killed in gang-related violence since 2006 is 40,000. Mgr. Cortes said the violence was causing pain and distress to Mexicans and the perpetrators were acting ‘more through ignorance than malice. We must be messengers of peace, and hope that this Christmas will be a time of peace and love for all.’
Pray: for God in His mercy to hear the cries of thousands mourning the death of a loved one because of drugs. (2Sa.22:3)