A group of evangelical Christians from the Cantinela community, part of the Sinai Church in Ixmiquilpan, Hidalgo, Mexico, has filed a formal complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) after reporting abuses and rights violations.
The complaint follows pressure from local authorities to force them to participate in Catholic Church roles and festivals, in violation of Mexico’s constitutional right to religious freedom.
The “Prince of Peace” group submitted an official statement saying the conflict stems from the arbitrary enforcement of “uses and customs.” According to the group, community authorities require evangelicals to serve as “stewards” in religious festivals outside their faith or pay fines of up to 114,000 pesos (about $6,700), an unaffordable amount for families in the rural economy of the Mezquital Valley.
The conflict between “uses and customs” and a biblical worldview
For evangelical believers, participating in rituals that involve venerating images directly conflicts with the biblical teaching of exclusive worship of God. However, in regions such as the Mezquital Valley, community identity is often closely tied to traditional Catholicism, leaving little room for religious diversity.
“They force us, as evangelicals, to take on the role of ‘steward’ in the Catholic Church, or else we must pay a fine equal to 365 days of minimum wage,” the Rev. Gabriel Chavarría Salvador said.
He said the consequences are not only financial but also include the loss of essential services. “If we do not pay the amount imposed, they cut off our drinking water. We see this as punishment.”
Areli Mundo, a member of the congregation, described the pressure they face when refusing to take part in activities that go against their beliefs. “It’s not my faith. They venerate the Lord of Jalpa, a representation of Christ in Ixmiquilpan, and if I refuse to participate in the rosaries, they charge me 300 pesos.”
Challenge to secularism and lack of institutional response
Although Article 24 of Mexico’s constitution guarantees that “every person is free to practice the religion of their choice,” the reality in rural Hidalgo shows a gap between the law and its enforcement. Those affected say state authorities have been unresponsive or, worse, have justified the abuses.
“We went to the Subsecretariat of Government in Pachuca, and they told us we cannot go against ‘uses and customs,’ and that otherwise we should find somewhere else to live where these practices do not exist,” Pastor Chavarría said.
This response has been interpreted by the Christian community as a lack of protection from the state, leaving religious minorities vulnerable to local decisions that ignore basic human rights.
The complaint, now before the CNDH and referred to the Ministry of the Interior (SEGOB), aims to set a precedent to stop the escalation of violence in the region, which has a troubling history.
In previous years, including 2005, similar conflicts led to the displacement of more than 1,000 people and threats of lynching. The evangelicals of Cantinela have reaffirmed their commitment to peace and their willingness to contribute to community work, as long as they are not forced to compromise their faith in Christ.
Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
