Pope Francis to Celebrate Indigenous Culture in Mexico Visit
Pope Francis will be stopping by Mexico soon and his visit will be marked by the Church's new embracement of indigenous culture within the faithful.
According to a report from Yahoo! News, the pope is set to celebrate Mass in the Chiapas state. The region is known for its heavy indigenous background and its so-called "Indian church," which blends Catholic belief with elements of the indigenous culture including pine boughs and eggs and prayers to "God the Father and Mother."
The seamless integration of culture in religion was not completely accepted by the Church, but Pope Francis will lead the way for acceptance as he is not only set to be present in Chiapas for Mass, but also include readings and songs in three indigenous languages. His February visit will also see him finalize a decree authorizing the use of indigenous languages.
The pope will be preside the momentous Mass in the colonial city of San Cristobal de las Casas and Bishop Felipe Arizmendi spoke up about background of the issues stemming in the church.
"Within the church there have always been errors," Arizmendi said, explaining how significant the Pope's efforts are to the indigenous locals of the country. "So we recognize that many times, we have not given them (the indigenous) their place."
Francis' visit to Chiapas will include a stop in the diocese of San Cristobal, which is known to be home of Bishops Bartolome de las Casas and Samuel Ruiz. Both were stout defenders of the indigenous people in Mexico.
Bishop Arizmendi explained, "Still today, and not just in Chiapas but in other parts of Mexico and Latin America, some people don't take into account their (indigenous) languages, their customs, their rites, they despise all that as if it were something backward, when in fact they have a great wisdom."
The pope's visit to Mexico is expected to address many of the plights of the impoverished country including immigration and widespread violence. According to a report from Los Angeles Times, the six cities that Pope Francis will be visiting are indicative of the message he wants to disseminate throughout the country from Mexico City and Ecatepec to Morelia and Juarez.
Despite his intention to spread his message among the faithful, Pope Francis has said that he is not going to Mexico to solve all the problems but to be one with them.
"I am going to Mexico as a pilgrim, to seek the wealth of faith that you all have," Francis said. "I want to become infected with that wealth of faith, to live that faith with you. I am going with my heart open so that it might fill with all you can give me."
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