Mexico Church welcomes amendment lifting religious restrictions

(December 20, 2011) Mexico’s Catholic Church has welcomed the approval last week by the lower house of Congress of a constitutional amendment allowing religious groups to hold public services without first seeking government permission. Lawmakers approved changes on Dec. 15 to Article 24 of the Mexican constitution, which forbids celebrating worship services outside houses of worship without first receiving government permission. The move marks a further departure from the anti-clerical sentiments previously held by many in the country's political establishment. The amendment also guarantees the freedom of religion. In a statement on Dec. 16, Mexico’s bishops' conference said that “with this reform, the rights the persons have to freely exercise the religion of their preference or not have any ... are amplified." "Our country, through its legislators, has taken an important step in the recognition and respect of a fundamental and innate right of each person," the bishops added. . The Senate and 16 of Mexico's 31 state legislatures still must approve the amendment for it to become effective. Church and state in Mexico were estranged for much of the last century and public events remain secular, but public officials now occasionally appear at Catholic events. Pope Benedict XVI announced on Dec. 12 that he would visit Mexico and Cuba before Easter 2012. The dates and details of the visit have not been announced.