Evangelicals in Mexico have expressed concern over the growing religious intolerance following an attempt by authorities to remove a monument to the Bible in Mexico's capital city.

|PIC1|At the end of October, Cuauhtemoc Delegation authorities from the Federal District sent a team of workers to remove a monument to the Bible built at the historical centre of Mexico City, according to the Latin America and Caribbean Communication Agency (ALC).

Formally unveiled on Jan. 29 by the Bible Society of Mexico (SBM), the sculpture of granite, marble and bronze bears the verse from Revelation 1:3 in the NIV Bible – "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." The text is printed in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, sources from SBM say.

SBM, spearheaded the construction of the monument, told ALC that the action of the authorities is "an act of religious intolerance."

"The governors were acting based on their phobias and ideological prejudices and that it is worrying to imagine how they act in positions of greater responsibility and power," reads a statement signed by SBM general secretary the Rev. Abner López, according to ALC.

|TOP|López also pointed out that the argument of the authorities for removing the monument is actually contradicting to the official documentation that granted the permission to build the monument.

In fact, Mexico has been stricken by a rising violent social and religious division as well as the oppression of Evangelicals in the recent years, according to SBM. In Mexico where the Roman Catholic tradition was deeply planted, the small but growing Protestant and Evangelical movements often face discrimination.

In an article released by SBM in August, López spoke about the significance of the construction of the monument.

López considers the construction of the monument very important to the 15 million Evangelicals in Mexico because it confirmed that Mexico is now living in a new era of greater plurality and democracy as well as a time of greater harmony between its people.

|AD|"This unveiling," López was quoted as saying, "should not be seen merely as a religious act, but as a symbol of the growing plurality of politics and religion which Mexico is experiencing."

Even Alejando Encinas, Governor of Mexico's Federal District (around the capital Mexico City), showed full support at the unveiling of the monument 10 months ago. At that time, he described Mexico City as a "melting pot in which the most diverse cultural expressions, including different religions, blended together," "breathing a climate of tolerance and plurality."

However, less than a year later, the monument is now to be removed under the order of the Federal District – a move that has alarmed Mexican Evangelicals who are seeking for democracy, diversity and harmony.

Meanwhile, López reiterated the warning over the rising religious intolerance faced by the Evangelical-Christian communities in Mexico, according to SBM. He said there is "lack of respect," "marginalisation," and "discretionary treatment" that religious minorities suffer in the country.

Such intolerance also takes away lives and separates communities, he added.

"The bible is a source of life and freedom. As a result, if the authorities decide to remove the Monument to the Bible it will say a great deal about them and their political project," López concluded.

The monument stands at La Calle de Gante Street, Mexico City centre. The street is very historical as it is named after Fr. Pedro de Gante, a sixteenth century Franciscan missionary, originally from Flanders. Fr Gante was a great defender of the Indians and founded the first school for Indians in Mexico City.

Tosia Malamud is the sculptress of the monument, which measures four by three meters, more than two meters high. Fifteen church denominations collaborated with the SBM on the monument project.







Eunice Or
Christian Today Correspondent