By Deacon Raul Perez Special to the Herald There is something uniquely powerful about pilgrimage — a journey outward that becomes a journey inward. For the 23 pilgrims who departed Honolulu on Nov. 6, bound for the sacred landscapes of Mexico, this truth revealed itself day after day. Each stop along the way became more […]
Because of pandemic, no pilgrims at basilica for Guadalupe feast this year
By David Agren Catholic News Service MEXICO CITY — Mexican church and civic officials have canceled public feast celebrations for Mexico’s patroness at her shrine in Mexico City due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The celebration normally attracts 10 million pilgrims to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the world’s most-visited Marian shrine. At a […]
Bishops blame U.S. policies for child deaths at border
By Rhina Guidos Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — Leadership of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in an op-ed cast blame on government policies for recent child deaths near the U.S.-Mexico border. In a June 30 op-ed published by The Hill newspaper in Washington, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of […]
Migrant shelters suffer harassment as Mexico toughens enforcement
By David Agren Catholic News Service TENOSIQUE, Mexico — The Franciscan-run migrant shelter La 72 has welcomed a steady stream of migrants since opening its doors in 2011 in this sweaty railway terminus near the Guatemalan border. It has also endured a steady stream of harassment — from politicians and police officers, immigration officials and […]
The persecuted church: Catechist instructor shot dead in southern Mexico
By David Agren Catholic News Service MEXICO CITY — A catechist instructor was shot dead at a chapel in Chiapas state — another example of how the violence consuming Mexico is impacting the Catholic Church. The attack occurred June 15 in Acacoyagua, some 75 miles from the border with Guatemala, where 30 catechist instructors were […]