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Mexico
 Mission co-worker Tracey King worked in Acteal to help establish peace commissions in the region as a joint effort between Presbyterians and Catholics. More than ten years after the massacre of forty-five men, women, and children at Acteal, Chiapas, the notion of doing justice still has different meanings for people involved at diverse points in the conflict. For some, it means punishment for the prisoners who were arrested and charged. For others, it means reopening the investigation and putting the blame where it belongs. For PC(USA)’s partner denomination, the National Presbyterian Church in Mexico (INPM), it means working for the release of many of the prisoners who are Presbyterian and who the church considers unjustly accused.
The events of December 22, 1997, remain shrouded in mystery and speculation. The victims, all indigenous people, had gathered to fast and pray for peace following an armed conflict in Chiapas. Most of the victims were women and children; nine of the dead were men. In addition to those murdered, another twenty-five were wounded. Many had been shot from behind while they were praying. Although investigations showed that only nine attackers were involved, nearly ninety men were arrested and jailed in connection with the massacre. Of those, more than one-third were Presbiterianos, and several others were Protestants from other denominations.
For over ten years, the INPM has assisted the affected families, particularly the wives and children of the imprisoned men, and has paid for lawyers to seek the release of the Presbiterianos.
Today in the open wound that is Acteal, Chiapas, the admonishing words of Micah 6:8 to love kindness and walk humbly with God are a challenging imperative for people with all viewpoints.
Partners/Ministries
National Presbyterian Church in Mexico (INPM): The Rev. Saul Feria, president
The Rev. Samuel Trinidad Bartolo, general secretary
Presbytery/Synod Partnerships
Presbytery of Arkansas, Presbytery of Charlotte, Presbytery of Coastal Carolina, Presbytery de Cristo, Presbytery of Geneva, Homestead Presbytery, Maumee Valley Presbytery, Northeast Georgia Presbytery, Presbytery of San Diego, Presbytery of San Jose, Presbytery of Santa Fe, Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley, Presbytery of South Alabama, Synod of Living Waters, Synod
of the Sun, Presbytery of Tropical Florida, Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery, and Presbytery of Whitewater Valley with the INPM
Presbytery Partnerships
Eastminster Presbytery, Presbytery of Grand Canyon, Mission Presbytery, Presbytery of New Covenant, Presbytery of San Diego, Presbytery of Sierra Blanca, and Presbytery of Tres Rios with Presbyterian Border Ministry (PBM)
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Tina Rhudy, GAMC
Elder Kerry Rice, OGA
Elder Joan Richardson, OGA
Lord, help us to remember that you have called us to be your faithful servants in all parts of the world. Thank you for filling our hearts with love for others. Amen.
Ps. 96, 147:1–11 Ps. 132, 134
2 Kings 18:9–25
1 Cor. 8:1–13 ; Matt. 7:13–21
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