Strife between different religious groups in the region of Oaxaca, home to Benito Juárez

In the rural community of Cerro Cajón, situated within the municipality of San Juan Lalana, a long-standing conflict between the evangelical minority and the predominantly Catholic community has escalated. The community, which is predominantly Chinantec, is administrated by the San Isidro Arenal agency.

The incident, which came to light on 15th June of this year, saw a community assembly endorse a ban on professing any religion other than Roman Catholicism. This move intensified hostilities against the evangelical minority, who have been subjected to violence, property theft, imprisonment, and threats of expulsion.

The burning of an evangelical temple in Cerro Cajón Ranchería was admitted by the Archbishop of Oaxaca, Pedro Vásquez Villalobos, to have been committed by Catholics. His acknowledgement, along with his homily and statements about the incident, were reported in media.

The Oaxacan authorities have promised to investigate the incident, but have also urged the victims not to speak out in the media or on social networks. This plea for silence has raised concerns about the transparency and fairness of the investigations.

The Law of Freedom of Religion, promulgated by the Oaxacan President, Benito Juárez, on 4th December 1860, is being denied to Oaxacan evangelicals. This denial is rooted in religious intolerance, with political and economic implications. In traditional communities, religious office and civilian office are often held by the same people, with the governing body enforcing religious rules. Those who do not comply with these rules or do not publicly express adherence are often seen as challengers to the community's socio-political organization.

Carlos Martínez García, a journalist and sociologist, founder of the Centre of Mexican Protestant Studies (Cenpromex), has been a vocal advocate for the rights of the persecuted evangelical minority. His work sheds light on the historical context of this conflict, with anthropologists, sociologists, and priests often implying that indigenous people who abandon Catholicism commit a 'crime' or 'betrayal', as noted by Carlos Monsiváis in October 1989.

The authorities in Oaxaca that address religious discrimination include local government institutions such as the state's human rights commissions and justice departments responsible for enforcing anti-discrimination laws. However, specific agency names are not detailed in the search results. The director of Religious Affairs of Oaxaca, Edwin Martínez Espindola, has called for a dialogue with the persecuted representatives in San Lorenzo public offices.

This article was originally published in La Jornada de México and translated into English by Evangelical Focus. The ongoing conflict in Cerro Cajón serves as a stark reminder of the need for religious freedom and the dangers of religious intolerance and discrimination.