In a small village in Mexico, a Protestant pastor and his family found themselves abruptly exiled, highlighting ongoing tensions between different religious practices in the region.
Pastor Mariano Velásquez Martínez, who had recently taken on the role of “mayordomo” in Santiago Malacatepec, Oaxaca State, was involved in organizing a traditional Roman Catholic festival. Originally, he agreed to participate solely by providing flowers and candles for the event.
However, on the festival day, January 15, he was unexpectedly asked to perform a religious act that conflicted with his beliefs—kneeling and praying to an image of Saint James. Despite previous agreements to the contrary, this demand was made by another mayordomo, leading to a complaint against Pastor Velásquez Martínez.
In front of approximately 180 men, Pastor Velásquez Martínez was reportedly restrained and informed of his expulsion from the village. The pastor alleged that he was coerced into signing an expulsion document and was not given a copy. He and his family, including a three-month-old baby, are now staying with relatives in Oaxaca City.
This incident is not isolated, as Pastor Velásquez Martínez is the second leader of the Iglesia Camino Nuevo y Vivo to face forced displacement since 2023. Lawyer Porfirio Flores Zúñiga, representing the Fellowship of Pastors, has urged the Attorney General’s Office and the Secretary of Government of Oaxaca State to apply the Forced Displacement Law to those responsible.
The law stipulates that individuals found guilty of forced displacement in Oaxaca can face up to 18 years in prison.
Anna Lee Stangl, director of advocacy at Christian Solidarity Worldwide, expressed concern over the incident. She stated, “The arbitrary detention of Pastor Mariano Velásquez Martínez and the subsequent forced displacement of him and his family is unconscionable.”
Stangl further emphasized that this case illustrates a failure by both state and federal governments to uphold international human rights obligations and the fundamental rights outlined in Mexico’s constitution and laws. She called for the Oaxaca government to take immediate action, holding those accountable for the forced displacement and ensuring freedom of religion or belief is respected for everyone.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
