MEXICO CITY (AP) 鈥� Mexico鈥檚 Catholic leaders said Monday that pushed by President Andr茅s Manuel L贸pez Obrador might not necessarily bring justice for victims of the crime wave that is rampant across the country.
鈥淭he proposal promoted by the Executive does not respond to a comprehensive review of the judicial system nor does it guarantee a better and more qualified administration of justice,鈥� said Archbishop Gustavo Rodr铆guez in a video released by the Catholic bishops conference of Mexico.
L贸pez Obrador, who has clashed repeatedly with judges throughout his six-year term, has claimed that the judges in the current court system are corrupt. The governing party鈥檚 proposal would make the country鈥檚 entire judicial branch 鈥� around 7,000 judges 鈥� stand for election.
The proposal has and from analysts, judges and international observers. Some of the critics contend that it would compromise the independence of the judiciary and the system of checks and balances.
on Aug. 22 that electing judges is a 鈥渞isk鈥� for Mexico鈥檚 democracy and 鈥渢hreatens the historic commercial relationship鈥� between the two countries. The proposal has also , while the Mexican peso has plunged.
The lower house of Mexico鈥檚 Congress . It then moved to the Senate, where it is expected to pass by a razor-thin margin.
Bishop Ram贸n Castro, secretary of the bishops conference, said Monday that Catholic faith leaders are praying for the senators to reflect on the responsibility that鈥檚 been laid on them.
鈥淢ay they contemplate the benefit of the nation beyond unnecessary partisanship, so we can move towards a comprehensive reform that includes prosecutors鈥� offices, local courts and respect for the judicial career,鈥� Castro said.
This is not the first time that Catholic leaders have voiced their concerns over Lopez Obrador鈥檚 decisions and policies.
The church spoke out in 2022, when shook the public opinion and the Catholic hierarchy. Calls for peace have been followed by nationwide meetings to search for solutions to achieve justice and security.
During his address Monday, Castro sent a reminder to Claudia Sheinbaum, who will succeed L贸pez Obrador on Oct. 1. As a candidate, Sheinbaum ahead of the June presidential elections.
鈥淭he national agenda for peace, presented to those seeking the presidency in the last electoral process, expresses the need of a comprehensive reconstruction of justice at all levels,鈥� Castro said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a request from Mexico鈥檚 society, especially from victims of widespread criminal violence throughout the country.鈥�
Various faith leaders have supported violence victims 鈥� both Mexican citizens 鈥� in recent years.
While bishops of Guerrero, one of the most violent states in Mexico, in an attempt to stop the wave of violence that afflicts its population, several priests have supported relatives of disappeared people.
On Aug. 30, after nationwide protests demanded justice and the safe return of 150,000 people who vanished under unclear circumstances, Catholic Bishop Javier Acero joined during a news conference at Our Lady of Guadalupe鈥檚 Basilica in Mexico City.
Many of these mothers, he said, have tried to approach government officials, but the doors have remained closed for them. Now, with Sheinbaum soon to be in power, he hoped for a change and sent a message to her: 鈥淚 ask this on their behalf: As a mother, listen to these moms.鈥�
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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP鈥檚 with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Mar铆a Teresa Hern谩ndez, The Associated Press
