The Bishops’ Conference is joining a federal government effort to reduce violence in the country. The churches will offer to make their squares available to citizens, so that they can hand over their weapons to the authorities in exchange for financial compensation.
Sebastian Samson Ferrari – Vatican City
The Catholic Church in Mexico reaffirmed its commitment to peace by supporting the program “Yes to disarmament, yes to peace», an initiative promoted by the government.
National in scope, this program presented on January 10 aims to reduce violence in the country by focusing on voluntary disarmament, by offering citizens the possibility of handing over their weapons, ammunition and explosives in exchange for economic compensation which will vary. depending on the type of weapon. Anyone interested in the exchange can participate freely, anonymously, respectfully and without legal consequences, according to the guidelines of institutional action. “Your identity and the data collected will be protected at all times”, it is stipulated.
Global fight against violence
This campaign aims to reduce the number of injuries, accidental deaths, homicides, feminicides, as well as any other crime or expression of violence in general, resulting from the handling or use of firearms. It also involves raising awareness among the population of the dangers and consequences of possessing or handling weapons, ammunition or explosives at home; but also to promote values, attitudes and behaviors that are alternatives to violence; to finally tackle the causes that generate it.
The launching ceremony took place in the forecourt of the Basilica of Guadalupe, in a symbolic act of unity and hope for the entire nation, with the participation of President Claudia Sheinbaum and her security cabinet.
Weapons were destroyed during the launch of the campaign.
The Church calls for participation
In statements reported by the media “Desde la Fe”, Mgr. Efraín Hernández, rector of the Basilica of Guadalupe, highlighted the importance of this initiative, insisting that it is a step towards reconciliation and peace in Mexico. “Our country needs to live in peace“, he declared, and he invited Mexicans to participate in this project. At the same time, he recalled that, as the Holy Father has repeatedly stated, peace is not built with weapons, but with dialogue.
Catholic initiatives for peace
The Mexican Episcopal Conference (CEM) supported the program in December, pledging to work with the federal government to ensure its success. As part of this alliance, churches across the country will offer their courts as “exchange points”, thus providing citizens with a safe and reliable space to turn in their weapons.
«The Church is ready to collaborate in the search for peace, not only by taking up arms again, but also by working on strategies aimed at restoring social peace. This includes strengthening local and federal institutions, recovering public spaces, and healing the wounds of communities affected by violence », explained Mgr Efraín Hernández.
In addition to this commitment to voluntary disarmament, the Church continues to promote the National Dialogue for Peace, an effort already underway in 27 entities of the country, which aims to establish comprehensive peace processes through a dialogue between the community and the government.
A valued collaboration
Ms. Sheinbaum thanked the Church for its participation and reiterated the federal government’s commitment to building a more peaceful Mexico.
The program “Yes to disarmament, yes to peace» is a replication – but extended to the national level – of the initiative that Claudia Sheinbaum implemented as head of government of the capital Mexico City (2018-2023). Today, several exchange centers in different regions of the country have been established.
Weapons recovered by federal authorities will be destroyed by the Department of Defense to prevent them from being used against the life or integrity of others.
As for toys imitating war, they can also be exchanged for educational toys to eliminate objects that encourage violence among children. “Why teach our sons and daughters anything related to violence? We therefore replace a war toy with an educational toy or another type of toy that allows our sons and daughters to grow up with a symbol of peace and with a symbol of play which is part of the construction of life“, said Claudia Sheinbaum.
Games distributed to children.
