Crossing Swords: Politics and Religion in Mexico

a critical conscience for the state and society, not to confront it, but because it is part of its natural, institutional responsibilities. However, acting maturely and creating bridges for dialogue with the State are included in this responsibility. ¹³⁵

The actual results, in a political sense, in the period since the implementation of the reforms have been mixed, as anticipated by Arturo Núnez Jiménez, who concluded that the law would encourage clergy who wished to exert greater influence politically over laity, whereas others would moderate their efforts in this direction. Those who expected increased politization among the clergy could point to their involvement in the Chiapas rebellion in early January 1994 and in the subsequent mediation efforts as evidence of greater involvement, but San Cristóbal de las Casas, the primary diocese where the rebellion took place, has long maintained an active, aggressive posture in defense of Indian rights. Nevertheless, individual cases of clerical involvement in politics led the otherwise reserved former president in 1994, Miguel de la Madrid, to break his silence and express concern with Church intervention in politics. ¹³⁶

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