On Mexican independence day, bishops warn of country’s ‘open wounds’

As Mexico commemorates the 216th anniversary of Mexicoʼs War of Independence, the Mexican Bishops’ Conference (CEM, by its Spanish acronym) acknowledged the nation’s political progress but warned that “open wounds” such as violence, kidnappings, corruption, and inequality persist.

Every year, on the night of Sept. 15, Mexico begins its independence day celebrations by reenacting the “Grito de Dolores” (“Cry of Dolores”). On Sept. 16, 1810, in the town of Dolores, Father Miguel Hidalgo rang the church bells and urged the assembled people to take up arms against the Spanish colonial government.

Mexico’s independence was finally achieved on Sept. 27, 1821, with the entry of Agustín de Iturbide into Mexico City at the head of the Army of the Three Guarantees. The army got its name for its defense of the three “guarantees” of the Plan of Iguala: the Catholic faith as the national religion, independence from Spain, and social and legal equality between between all citizens regardless of ethnic origin.

‘Celebrating independence does not mean turning a blind eye’ In a Sept. 14 statement , the CEM said that in Mexico, “we have made progress in recognizing people’s rights, women’s…