Mexico wants Catholic Church to apologize for 'offensive atrocities' against Indigenous [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

“The Catholic Church, the Spanish monarchy and the Mexican government should make a public apology," said Pres. Andrés Manuel López Obrador, writing it ahead of Columbus Day.

Oct. 12, 2020, 4:47 PM CDT
By Cynthia Silva

Mexico’s president wrote an open letter to Pope Francis to ask for an apology for the church’s role in the Spanish conquests committed against the country 500 years ago.

Ahead of Columbus Day, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador wrote a two-page letter that was tweeted on Saturday.

“The Catholic Church, the Spanish monarchy and the Mexican government should make a public apology for the offensive atrocities that Indigenous people suffered,” the letter states. "They deserve not only this generous attitude on our part but sincere commitment we will never, ever, commit disrespectful acts to their beliefs, cultures, and let alone be judged or marginalized on economic or racism grounds."

López Obrador also asked the Pope to make a statement in favor of Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico’s 19th-century independence leader who was once believed to have been excommunicated by the church for his involvement in the uprising. Researchers later said it appeared that Hidalgo had confessed his sins before he was executed and thus was not excommunicated.

More:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/mexico-wants-catholic-church-apologize-offensive-atrocities-against-indigenous-n1243006