Bishop Ruiz speaks out for Chiapas

Catholic New Times, July 3, 2005 by Sheila M. Dabu

"How can people sit comfortably in their homes when indigenous peoples suffer from genocide? How can we stand by as human beings and do nothing? ... We're concerned about animals becoming extinct but what about tribes?"

Professor Dawn Martin-Hill, McMaster University's Director of the Indigenous Studies Program and member of the Six Nations tribe, opened the Food for Chiapas campaign and Science for Peace event "Chiapas: the People and the Land: a Recent History," with a bang.

On June 2, about 150 people filled Alumni Hall at the University of St. Michael's College for the event. The keynote speaker was three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Bishop Emeritus Samuel Ruiz of San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas, Mexico.

Ruiz linked the indigenous struggle in Chiapas to the global aboriginal struggle, giving a first-hand account of the situation as pastoral leader and mediator.

In the inter national community, Ruiz is hailed as a hero. He received a standing ovation after his talk in Toronto. To conservative groups in the Catholic church, the Mexican government and society, Ruiz is the "Red Bishop," who diverged from orthodoxy to espouse the controversial "theology of liberation." In a 2003 interview with The Narco News Bulletin, Ruiz shot back: "Is there a theology of slavery?"

In the past, the Vatican denounced Ruiz's alleged "Marxist misinterpretation of the Gospel," and accused him of committing "doctrinal and pastoral errors." Pope John Paul II reportedly asked him to resign twice. According to some sources, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) had a talk with Ruiz about preaching Christianity "without resorting to any other things alien to it."

At 81, Ruiz is etired in Mexico but still active promoting justice and peace efforts. He is a survivor, having outlasted death threats and assassination attempts reportedly from landowners and paramilitaries, threatened by his message of indigenous rights.

Even through a Spanish interpreter, Ruiz's message at the Toronto event rang loud and clear. He spoke in the language of liberation theology, speaking of the consciousness-raising of indigenous peoples being "subjects of their own history", advocating the preferential option for the poor, and calling for justice through social action.

The bishop, told the story of the Mayan struggle that preceded the rebellion of the nineties.

"My way of thinking changed. From having a vision of churches filled with indigenous people singing, I started seeing communities oppressed by society and structures," Ruiz said. The Mayan people endured threats and physical violence for speaking their own language. Many were used as beasts of burden by their bosses, "even carrying them on a chair if there was too much mud on the pathway," said Ruiz.

On January 1, 1994, the voice of the oppressed was heard. 'That's enough,'" Ruiz said. While condemning violence, Ruiz says that the Zapatistas were carrying out a "just cause."

Ruiz pointed out that the date of the indigenous uprising was that of the signing North American Free Trade agreement. According to Ruiz, it was an "atypical" moment from those of other armed struggles in Latin America.

After only eleven days, the EZLN was already preparing for dialogue and peace talks. As mediator, Ruiz recalled a Conversation with government representative Manuel Solis.

"Dr. Solis, you and I are like drunks," Ruiz said.

"Please, I don't drink," said Solis.

"We're like two drunks because if two drunks walk together, they need to hold each other up. You need the moral force that I represent and I need the political force you represent," Ruiz explained.

Suddenly, Ruiz says, the Mexican government changed its attitude and tactic, stopping aggressive actions against people sympathetic to the Zapatistas Which led to the current "armed peace."

Even within grim realities, Ruiz presented a message of hope.

Instead of waiting for the government to act, he says that the Zapatistas unilaterally implemented the peace accords through community councils, engaging citizens and local political elites. In response to a question, Ruiz replied, "When peace comes, it won't be to Chiapas only. It would be to the world because of a change in social structures."

Sheila Dabu is a Toronto freelance writer.