A video mapping event in Mexico City celebrating its history has sparked controversy due to its inclusion of legalized abortion in the narrative. The Archdiocese of Mexico City condemned the show, criticizing the projection of content on the Metropolitan Cathedral that conflicts with religious principles. The government initially defended the show's historical focus but subsequently removed references to abortion following the church's objections. The incident highlights the ongoing tension between religious and political narratives in public storytelling.
5 months ago
The Mexico City government's audiovisual spectacle, "Memoria Luminosa. México Tenochtitlan 700 años," projected onto the façade of the Metropolitan Cathedral, has sparked significant controversy 1. Running nightly from July 11 to 27, the show aims to narrate seven centuries of the city's history, from its Aztec origins to modern political milestones 1, 3, 4.
The show's narrative includes various historical events, such as independence, the Mexican Revolution, and recent developments like the first LGBTIQ+ Pride March in the Zócalo 3, 4. Crucially, it also highlighted the decriminalization of abortion and the election of two female heads of government 3, 4. Specific images projected onto the Cathedral's façade included women wearing green neckerchiefs, a symbol of the feminist movement, and text explicitly stating "safe abortion" 3, 4.
The Archdiocese of Mexico City swiftly issued a statement on July 15, condemning the inclusion of these images and messages 1, 3, 4. They described the content as "deeply wounding" and conflicting with the faith and fundamental principles upheld by the Catholic Church, particularly given the Cathedral's status as an emblematic Catholic landmark 1, 3, 4. The Archdiocese clarified that they were not consulted about the specific content of the show and that no religious authority participated in its pre-production or script 3, 4. While acknowledging the Cathedral property belongs to the federal government, they asserted that its use and administration, including messages projected on its façade, fall under the exclusive responsibility of the Primatial Archdiocese of Mexico 3, 4.
Initially, the local Culture Secretariat, organizing the event, stated that the show's intent was historical and cultural, not ideological, and did not aim to offend religious devotion 1. However, in response to the public sensitivity and the Cathedral's request, all references to abortion were quietly removed from the show starting July 16 1. The Culture Secretariat acknowledged the request and agreed to "act accordingly," though it remains unclear if the deleted content will reappear elsewhere 1.
This incident highlights an ongoing tension between public storytelling, government initiatives, and religious sensibilities in Mexico 1. It underscores the recurring clashes between Mexico's religious and political spheres 1.
What is the Church's teaching on the sanctity of life?
The Catholic Church teaches that all human life is sacred and inviolable from the moment of conception until natural death . This teaching is rooted in the belief that every human person is created in the image and likeness of God , , .
The Church emphasizes that human life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception , . Any act that directly destroys an innocent human life is gravely contrary to moral law , . This includes abortion and infanticide, which are considered abominable crimes , .
Violating a person's right to life, especially at conception, is seen as an indirect blow to the entire moral order that safeguards human goods, with life being the foremost among them , . The Church attaches canonical penalties, such as excommunication, to those who procure a completed abortion, underscoring the gravity of this offense against human life .
The Church's teaching on the sanctity of life has been consistently affirmed throughout history, from the first century to the present day . Popes and Church documents have repeatedly underscored the human dignity of the fetus and the necessity of respecting and protecting all stages of human life , .