MEXICO: BISHOP SAMUEL RUIZ RETIRES скачать в хорошем качестве

MEXICO: BISHOP SAMUEL RUIZ RETIRES

(3 Nov 1999) Natural Sound The Mexican government called him a "protagonist of the theology of violence". The state government called him a "prophet of doom." His opponents dubbed him "the red bishop" for what they considered his socialist views. Now one of Mexico's most controversial figures - Bishop Samuel Ruiz - is taking retirement on his 75th birthday after four decades as bishop of San Cristobal de las Casas. To some, he's the champion of Mexico's poorest. To others, he's a heretic who used Roman Catholicism to fire up a rebel movement set on toppling rich landowners and the government. Ruiz was 35-years old when given the post of bishop in 1960. He soon became concerned about the poverty in Chiapas state. The area included a majority of Indian peasants - many of whom were exploited by rich landowners who kept workers in check with bands of thugs. Most of his flock was illiterate - few spoke Spanish. Ruiz defined his mission as evangelising and protecting the poorest of his flock. His work earned him the nickname "Bishop of the Poor," but also the ire of the landowners in the region. Angry landowners allegedly sent gunmen after him. Ruiz's position became even more touchy after the 1994 uprising of the Zapatista National Liberation Army, a rebel group fighting for Indian rights in Chiapas. He had denounced many of the same abuses the rebels were combating and immediately became associated with the rebels. The bishop served as mediator between the government and the rebels when peace talks began in 1994. The government soon accused him of siding with the guerrillas. Under pressure, he stepped down in 1998. One of Ruiz's last act for the community was to bless three children who survived the Actual massacre of December 22, 1997 when 45 people were gunned down. The procession went by a monument for the victims of the Actual massacre of which all of the victims - including 14 children - were Tzotzil Indians. They were killed at pointblank range by paramilitary gunmen The gunmen were aided by the villagers, making the crime even more horrific. The killing spree lasted over five hours. Hundreds of Catholics from the Indian community showed up. It was a farewell fit for the man who has been the Tzotziles Indian's biggest supporters. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...