CPTnet
CPTnet
July 26, 1998
CHIAPAS, MEXICO: Celebrating the Risen Christ; Acteal Seven Months Later

Three Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) members in Mexico traveled to Acteal on
the 22nd of this month to attend the monthly worship service held in
remembrance of the 45 people killed last December 22 by paramilitary members
allied with Mexico's ruling party.

At first glance Acteal looks much like other indigenous communities in
southern Mexico. Looking again, certain differences appear. A sign
proclaims that this is not a village, but a refugee camp and "Tierra Sagrada"
- Holy Ground. A large cement building, constructed as a memorial to the
people killed, seems out of place among the small houses made of wood and tin.

We had time before the worship service to hear some of the stories people
there have to share. Stories of how the police stood by on the road just
above the camp, deaf to the people asking them for help. Stories of people
running, people hiding, people surviving while others were killed. Stories
of how
the shooting went on for hours. Stories of how many of those responsible for
the massacre are still free in spite of eye-witness testimony.

The scripture for the mass was taken from John 20: 1-18, which tells of the
risen Christ appearing to Mary Magdalene. Death doesn't have the last word;
Christ conquers death and challenges us to do the same. A very fitting
passage of hope in the midst of pain and loss.

During the service, a visitor offered the community a picture of Catholic
Archbishop Oscar Romero, murdered for speaking out against the repression and
killing by the military and death squads in El Salvador. His death came
toward the beginning of a long and dirty war.

Will history record that those killed in Acteal are only the first of many
more martyrs? How many priests and catechists will die because they refuse to
say that brutal poverty is the will of God? How many more people will be
killed in another
senseless war against simple, subsistence farmers who want the freedom to have
a voice in the decisions that affect their lives? How many more weapons and
how much more training will the United States give to those responsible for
this kind of killing?

In spite of the uncertain future they are facing, we saw hope living in this
community through their continued non-violent struggle for survival.

Hope that comes from the risen Christ.

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