Leon J. Podles :: DIALOGUE

The New York Times has described the new cooperation between the Unites States and Mexico in combating the drug trade. What the Times (perhaps wisely) did not mention is that the narcotraficantes are popular in Mexico, at least in some areas. 
Popular Catholicism, as Arturo Vasquez reminds us in his blog Reditus, has some unusual saints. [...]

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Sometimes one wonders about absolute freedom of religion:
From CNA:
Father Hugo Valdemar, spokesman of the Archdiocese of Mexico City, warned this week about the “terrorist” nature of the call for a “holy war” against the Catholic Church by the leader of followers of “St. Death.”
David Romo Guillen, leader of the devotion to “St. Death,” especially popular [...]

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Santa Muerte and “Bishop” David Romo Guillén

The faithful followers of Santa Muerte, the Death Saint, are unhappy that the government destroyed the shrines they had built on public land (see blog below).

One bishop, according to the Washington Post, agreed with them
But the destruction enraged Death Saint church leaders, including archbishop David Romo who in [...]

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