In face of violence and migration, Church in Mexico aims to be more united and synodal in 2026

The president of the Mexican bishops’ conference (CEM, by its Spanish acronym), Bishop Ramón Castro Castro, outlined “the vision that the Church in Mexico is embracing for 2026,” which is to “walk together as a more united, more synodal Church, closer to the people,” especially in the face of the violence, poverty, and forced migration that the country is experiencing.

In a video message posted Jan. 29, Castro, the bishop of Cuernavaca in the Mexican state of Morelos, said that in 2026 “we will commemorate the centenary of the testimony of more than 200,000 Mexican martyrs who gave their lives defending their faith and freedom of conscience.”

“They did not seek conflict, but neither did they renounce Christ. With their blood, we proclaim a truth that continues to challenge us today,” he said, referring to the martyrs who perished during the persecution suffered by the Catholic Church at the hands of the Mexican federal government during the first half of the 20th century, which triggered the Cristiada, also known as the Cristero War.

“Christ is King,” Castro proclaimed, emphasizing that “remembering our martyrs is not about returning to the past with nostalgia but about allowing their testimony to illuminate our present and strengthen our daily fidelity, especially in the face of the reality our country is experiencing.”

“Violence, lack of public safety, poverty, forced migration, and the fragility of many families continue to deeply wound the heart of Mexico,” the prelate acknowledged.

‘A Church that accompanies’

Castro said that “in the midst of this reality, the Church is present in the parishes, in the chapels, in accompanying families, young people, migrants, and victims.”

For 2026, he said, the vision is of “a Church that accompanies, that proclaims hope with words and deeds, and that builds peace from the Gospel, with truth, charity, and steadfastness.”

“This path prepares us for great events of grace: the Guadalupan Jubilee of 2031 and the celebration of the Redemption in 2033,” he noted, referring to the 500th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Tepeyac, which occurred in December 1531, and the 2,000th anniversary of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Castro emphasized that in the journey they have undertaken this year, the bishops “embrace the call of Pope Leo XIV, who reminds us that the peace that Christ offers us is not a distant idea but a living presence,” as the Holy Father expressed in his message for the 59th World Day of Peace.

“An unarmed and disarming peace, humble and persevering, that overcomes evil with good,” Castro continued. “Let us continue walking together toward 2026 with our gaze fixed on Christ the King, strengthened by the testimony of our martyrs and under the loving protection of Our Lady of Guadalupe, confident that the peace of Christ continues to transform history.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.