Rink
03-05-2005, 03:26 AM
Housewives, Hoodlums Fight for Mexico Death Cult
Fri Mar 4, 2005 05:24 PM ET
By Catherine Bremer
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Dressed in white and clutching statuettes of their beloved skeleton saint, followers of Mexico's fast-growing Santa Muerte death cult marched across the capital on Friday to demand recognition of their faith.
Angered by the Roman Catholic Church's disapproval of their ghoulish cult and a government bid to strip their main shrine of its license, housewives marched alongside petty criminals chanting: "Listen, government, the Saint is fighting."
"We are being persecuted," said Catholic Bishop David Romo, who has become the black sheep of Mexico's Catholic church for leading services to the bejeweled, scythe-wielding Santa Muerte, or Saint Death, in the rough Mexico City neighborhood of Tepito.
Santa Muerte, a centuries-old pagan cult which has sprung back up in recent years to claim some 2 million faithful in Mexico, the second-biggest Catholic country, has followers that range from elite politicians to kidnappers and gangsters.
Followers do not see a contradiction between their worship of death and being Catholics. In Mexico, it is not uncommon for Catholic churches in indigenous villages to practice unorthodox rituals and worship their own saints.
Worshipers, many of whom spring from Mexico City's grimiest, most lawless suburbs, say their offerings of fruit, dollar bills, tequila and cigarettes bring them protection.
More on this Story (http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=7814162)
================================================== =====
I'm sorry but if there's 'Catholic Priests' offering church services to this pagan god then they should be defrocked.
Of the RCC is THAT terrified of a priest shortage to not only put up with this but also allow these pagan rituals to continue unabated, with worship services being offered to this idol then the RCC is truly lost in Mexico.
Fri Mar 4, 2005 05:24 PM ET
By Catherine Bremer
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Dressed in white and clutching statuettes of their beloved skeleton saint, followers of Mexico's fast-growing Santa Muerte death cult marched across the capital on Friday to demand recognition of their faith.
Angered by the Roman Catholic Church's disapproval of their ghoulish cult and a government bid to strip their main shrine of its license, housewives marched alongside petty criminals chanting: "Listen, government, the Saint is fighting."
"We are being persecuted," said Catholic Bishop David Romo, who has become the black sheep of Mexico's Catholic church for leading services to the bejeweled, scythe-wielding Santa Muerte, or Saint Death, in the rough Mexico City neighborhood of Tepito.
Santa Muerte, a centuries-old pagan cult which has sprung back up in recent years to claim some 2 million faithful in Mexico, the second-biggest Catholic country, has followers that range from elite politicians to kidnappers and gangsters.
Followers do not see a contradiction between their worship of death and being Catholics. In Mexico, it is not uncommon for Catholic churches in indigenous villages to practice unorthodox rituals and worship their own saints.
Worshipers, many of whom spring from Mexico City's grimiest, most lawless suburbs, say their offerings of fruit, dollar bills, tequila and cigarettes bring them protection.
More on this Story (http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=7814162)
================================================== =====
I'm sorry but if there's 'Catholic Priests' offering church services to this pagan god then they should be defrocked.
Of the RCC is THAT terrified of a priest shortage to not only put up with this but also allow these pagan rituals to continue unabated, with worship services being offered to this idol then the RCC is truly lost in Mexico.