Remembering Bishop Samuel Ruiz: Justice and Indigenous Rights in Mexico and Canada
On January 24, 2011 Bishop Samuel Ruiz of Chiapas, Mexico died at the age of 86. He had been bishop for 51 years, including 40 in Chiapas. With his death, the church lost a great leader; his ministry was a model for church leadership, for justice, and for Indigenous rights in Mexico and beyond. To honour his impact on ecumenical, social justice, and human rights communities in Canada, KAIROS collected testimonies and photos from people who have been inspired by his life. You can see them here.
One year later we are still remembering and commemorating. A public event and liturgy is scheduled for Wednesday, February, 29 at Loretto College, Blue Room, 70 St. Mary Street (near Bay & Bloor), Toronto. The event will celebrate Bishop Ruiz’s life and speak to the current situation of injustice in Mexico with special reference to migrants and indigenous people. It begins with an ecumenical memorial service at 5:30pm and continues with a public forum at 7pm.
Father José Aviles, Vicar for Justice and Peace for the Diocese of San Cristobal de las Casas, and Bishop Mark MacDonald, National Indigenous Bishop of the Anglican Church of Canada, will participate. For more information please contact Rachel Warden, Latin American Partnerships Coordinator, rwarden@kairoscanada.org.
Photo credit: Erika Del Carmen Fuchs
