The 1st Amendment of our constitution assures "the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." Are you so anti-Catholic that you would deny the Bishops the status of "people" and the rights that go along with it? Whether you and I like what they are saying and advocating, they are acting within the law.
The Catholic Church does have a presence in Mexico, but the Church is severely hampered in working and advocating on behalf of the people. There are five elements in the Mexican Constitution that are aimed at reducing the Catholic Church’s influence in Mexican domestic affairs.
- Article 3 enforces secular education in Mexican schools.
- Article 5 outlaws Monastic vows and orders
- Article 24 prevents public worship outside the confines of the Church buildings.
- Article 27 denies religious institutions the right to acquire, hold, or administer real property. Furthermore, all real estate held by religious institutions through third parties like hospitals, schools, was declared national property.
- Finally, Article 130 declares all basic civil responsibilities like voting or commenting on public affairs be taken away from Church officials.
In the US where the Bishops play a role life is good, in Mexico where they can't life is bad. I don't think that is purely coincidental.
No, I'm just smart enough to know that exercise of my own 1st amendment right to criticise the actions of thes bishops does not constitute a "violation" of their 1st amendment rights. Something you apparently don't understand.
The Catholic Church does have a presence in Mexico, but the Church is severely hampered in working and advocating on behalf of the people. There are five elements in the Mexican Constitution that are aimed at reducing the Catholic Church’s influence in Mexican domestic affairs.
None of which matters, because none of those articles say anything about what bishops in Mexico teach their own people inside the church doors, which is where the bulk of religious socialisation (obviously) occurs.
In the US where the Bishops play a role life is good, in Mexico where they can't life is bad. I don't think that is purely coincidental.
Highly doubtful that that has even the slightest bit to do with it. Besides, if life in America is good because Catholic bishops play a role in public life, then life in America is even BETTER because Protestant and Baptist pastors (groups which make up the majority in the USA) also play said role.