Jesus Christ Sworn in as Monterrey's Ultimate Authority

During a public speech last Saturday, Mayor Margarita Arellanes of Monterrey (Mexico) has granted the Keys to the City to no other than Jesus Christ. Yes, you read it right, and no, I’m not joking.

Monterrey is not your average Mexican town; it is the main municipality of Mexico’s third largest metropolis, and at 4 million inhabitants, it boasts an impressive industrial and financial might. Firms of multinational caliber such as ALFA, CEMEX and FEMSA are based in the city, which is also home to ITESM, one of Mexico’s finest universities. Regios, as locals proudly refer to themselves, are arguably the hardest working people in the country. Their forthright approach to life and business is the stuff of legend. Regios and Regias are amazing people, and I should know it, I married one.

 

 

Monterrey is the capital of Nuevo León, a state that has unfortunately had a very rough time during Mexico’s so-called war against organized crime. Once a safe haven with very low crime rates, Monterrey has endured more than a lustrum of unprecedented carnage: kidnapping, gang-related murder, terrorism, you name it.

In the midst of this appalling situation and in an act of colossal cowardness, Mrs. Arellanes decided to throw in the towel in favor of celestial guidance:

“I, Margarita Alicia Arellanes Cervantes, give away the City of Monterrey, Nuevo León, and open the doors of this municipality to God as its ultimate authority. I recognize that without his presence and help we cannot aspire to real success.”

 

 

God as the ultimate political authority in a city. If this doesn’t scare the shit out of you, I don’t know what will.

Article 40 of the Mexican Constitution is crystal clear and categorical on the matter: “It is the will of the Mexican People to constitute a laic republic”. Surprisingly, Mrs. Arellanes is not alone in her unconstitutionality. Last year, the heads of three municipalities (Juárez and Guadalupe in Nuevo León, as well as Ensenada in Baja California) pulled similar stunts.

Mrs. Arellanes and the other three clowns certainly have a right to profess their creed privately, but what is not permitted and should not be tolerated, is that someone under the authority granted by a laic state turns a public event into and act of religious proselytism.

I haven’t made up my mind as to what these people’s motivations may be, but I have a gut feeling it has to do with a mix of superstition, irresponsibility and political opportunism. Any combination of the above and at any dosage should be worrisome enough. Basing public policy on personal hallucinations, avoiding responsibility by granting it to the unaccountable or using faith to increase political popularity are all acts at the lowest level of moral disloyalty. Shame on them!

We Mexicans are widely considered to be a fervently religious people (which is only partially true), but we are also known for our patriotic enthusiasm (which is spot on true). I think that Mrs. Arellanes and friends have underestimated the rapport de force between the two passions.

President Benito Juárez (1806-1872) promoted what is known as Ley Juárez in 1855 to seriously curtail clerical power in the country. A string of laws known as Leyes de Reforma quickly followed, thus cementing the reality of Mexico as a secular state. Juárez, also known as El Benemérito de las Américas (The Meritorious of the Americas), is probably the most popular historical figure in the country. His liberal ideas regarding equality and respect are unquestioned. Every town in Mexico has a street named in honor of the Emancipator. If you fly into Mexico City, you’ll land at Benito Juárez Intl.

 

 

As angry and frustrated as Mayor Arellanes’ actions make me feel, the general reaction to her stupidity -as can be gauged through social and electronic media- gives me much to be hopeful about. I would have been solidly disappointed to see a majority of religious fruitcakes cheering along her pathetic lines. Although there are some tightly blindfolded puppets clapping like retarded seals, this time around they are not the majority. It’s so refreshing to see outspoken believers defending the separation of State and Church. I’m so profoundly glad to read bona fide believers who understand that this kind of circus acts don’t do anybody any favors.

Mayor Arellanes has been under intense fire since her inopportune intervention and is now asking that her faith be respected. She’s confusing the outcry of an intelligent people for aggression towards her faith. She played with fire and got severely burnt. Too bad.

Juárez's ideals seem to withstand the passage of time and the power of supernatural delusion, and for that, secularism in this country deserves a modicum of celebration.

¡Viva México!