In a time when Mexico is facing a crisis of trust in its institutions, the bishop of Cuernavaca and president of the Mexican Episcopal Conference (CEM), Ramón Castro Castro, has presented the 31st installment of his catechesis series «Venga a Nosotros Tu Reino», dedicated to «Public Servants». This preaching, available in video through YouTube, is based on the liturgy that proclaims: «Yours is the kingdom, yours the power and the glory forever, Lord». These words, according to the bishop, remind us that all power comes from God and must be oriented toward His glory and the good of the people. In a country where trust in authorities has been «severely damaged», Castro emphasizes that politics is not an opportunity for enrichment, but a genuine vocation of service.
The series «Venga a Nosotros Tu Reino» has become a tool for spiritual formation for the faithful, disseminated through the CEM’s social media and the bishop’s profile. This particular installment arrives in a context of national challenges, such as rampant corruption and social polarization. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), more than 75% of Mexicans perceive high levels of corruption in the government, a scenario that the bishop describes as urgent for recalling Christian principles in public life. Castro quotes St. John Paul II, who defined politics as «a lofty form of charity» when it seeks the true good of man. This evangelical vision contrasts with the temptation of power, just as Jesus warned his disciples: «It shall not be so among you. Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant».
In his preaching, the bishop illustrates how power resembles that of God when it «heals wounds, accompanies the weak, and becomes a neighbor». Concrete examples include allocating public resources to hospitals and schools, combating corruption, and governing with sobriety and transparency. For Castro, a government that functions properly becomes a «common good in itself». This perspective does not ignore the autonomy of the State, which the Church recognizes, but demands freedom to proclaim the Gospel and accompany its children. «Church and State do not merge, but must collaborate for the integral good of the person», affirms the bishop, recalling the grave responsibility of those who govern Mexico at any level. The well-being of millions depends on their decisions, and a single just decision can benefit multitudes.
The catechesis culminates with a call to prayer for rulers and for new Christian political vocations. Castro underscores that we are all responsible for the common good, inviting active participation in public life. «May Christ the King inspire our authorities to govern with justice, humility, and love for the people», he concludes, repeating the series’ motto: «Venga a nosotros tu Reino». This reflection aligns with the celebration of the 100 years of the solemnity of Christ the King in Mexico, promoting a faith that transforms society.
This installment directly engages with Catholic doctrine on political commitment, particularly with the Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation and Behavior of Catholics in Political Life, published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 2002, on the feast of Christ the King of the Universe. Chapter IV, «Considerations on Particular Aspects», offers a precise framework for understanding the role of Christians in politics, highlighting incompatibilities and guiding principles.
First, the document warns about incompatibilities in Catholic associations that support political forces contrary to the Church’s moral teaching on fundamental ethical issues, such as the defense of life and the family. Such positions, the text states, are «contradictory to the basic principles of Christian conscience» and «incompatible with belonging to Catholic entities». This resonates in Castro’s catechesis, who calls for a politics coherent with the Gospel, avoiding the dilution of faith in partisan ideologies. Additionally, it criticizes inconsistencies in Catholic media that ambiguously guide political decisions, leading to error without considering ecclesiastical doctrine.
Another key aspect is the building of a Christian culture. The faithful must strive to build a culture inspired by the Gospel and Tradition, presenting their spiritual heritage in modern terms to avoid a «cultural diaspora». Structural transformations alone are not enough; a solid cultural foundation is needed, as without it social foundations would be fragile.
It rejects utopian visions that instrumentalize the religious message, transforming the biblical tradition into a «prophetism without God» that reduces hope to the earthly, nullifying the eternal dimension. Instead, it emphasizes that authentic freedom does not exist without truth: «Truth and freedom either go together or together they miserably perish», a quote from John Paul II. In relativist societies, this absence weakens freedom and promotes individualism, an evil that the bishop sees in the erosion of Mexican trust.
Finally, the document addresses religious freedom, based on human dignity according to Dignitatis Humanae of the Second Vatican Council. It is not founded on absolute equality among religions, but on the ontological dignity of the person, condemning indifferentism and relativism. This reinforces Castro’s demand for freedom for the Church to proclaim the Gospel, collaborating with the State without confusion of roles.
Ramón Castro Castro’s 31st catechesis is not just a spiritual reflection; it is a prophetic call to Christians to reclaim politics as a space for evangelical charity. Integrating the Gospel with the 2002 doctrine, the bishop proposes that the Kingdom of God be built in Mexico through upright public servants. In a country marked by inequalities, this vision could inspire renewal: Christians who, like salt and light, transform public life.