Faith
Pastor Expelled for Faith in Oaxaca, Mexico
Faith Facts
- A Protestant pastor in Oaxaca, Mexico, faced detention and expulsion for upholding his Christian convictions.
- Local authorities forced him to participate in Catholic rituals, violating his freedom of worship.
- Mexico’s laws guarantee freedom of religion, but violations remain frequent in indigenous-majority communities.
Pastor Mariano Velásquez Martínez was held for five days by village officials when he refused to kneel and pray to an image of St. James during a Catholic festival. He and his family are now displaced, relying on relatives for shelter.
The situation highlights ongoing religious intolerance despite legal protections, as new legislation in Oaxaca seeks to address forced displacement linked to faith.
Attorney Porfirio Flores Zúñiga has called on authorities to enforce the law, emphasizing the need for justice and protection for all Christians who face persecution for their beliefs.
Anna Lee Stangl, CSW’s Director of Advocacy, stated in response,
“His case demonstrates how both state and federal governments are failing to meet not only their international human rights obligations but, even more fundamentally, their commitments to uphold basic rights in Mexico’s own constitution and laws.”
As Christians, we must pray for our brothers and sisters facing adversity, and stand united for faith, family, and freedom under God’s design. Speak out for their rights and encourage your leaders to defend religious freedom for all.