Last week we noted that Mexico’s Economy Minister, Ildefonso Guajardo, was somewhat less than completely supportive of Trump’s impenetrable, yet “aesthetically pleasing”, 30-foot border wall and issued a stark warning to Mexican companies that it would not be in their best “interests” to participate in the project even though there would be no explicit legal restrictions or sanctions to stop them if they tried. Per Reuters:
“We’re not going to have laws to restrict (companies), but I believe considering your reputation it would undoubtedly be in your interest to not participate in the construction of the wall,” said Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo.
“There won’t be a law with sanctions, but Mexicans and Mexican consumers will know how to value those companies that are loyal to our national identity and those that are not,” Guajardo added.
His comments echo those of Mexico’s foreign minister Luis Videgaray, who said on Friday that Mexican companies that see a business opportunity in the wall should “check their conscience” first.
Now, in a stunningly candid editorial, Mexico’s biggest Archdiocese has ramped up pressure against Mexican companies like Cemex who have expressed interest in providing supplies for the construction of the wall saying that such support would be “immoral” and shareholders of such companies “should be considered traitors to the homeland.” Per Yahoo News:
In a provocative editorial, the country’s biggest Archdiocese sought to increase pressure on the government to take a tougher line on companies aiming to profit from the wall, which has strained relations between Trump and the Mexican government.
“Any company intending to invest in the wall of the fanatic Trump would be immoral, but above all, its shareholders and owners should be considered traitors to the homeland,” said the editorial in Desde la fe, the Archdiocese’s weekly publication.
Meanwhile, according to a spokesman for the Archdiocese, which centers on Mexico City and is presided over by the country’s foremost Roman Catholic cleric, Cardinal Norberto Rivera, the editorial was not just the ramblings of one disaffected priest but rather represented the views of the diocese. Therefore, we can only presume by their own words that the Catholic Church is of the belief that enforcing borders, in any fashion, is tantamount to an act of “terror.”
The Desde la fe editorial, which was published online, said the barrier would only feed prejudice and discrimination.
“In practice, signing up for a project that is a serious affront to dignity is shooting yourself in the foot,” it wrote.
“Any deportation, when there is no proven crime and administrative failure justified according to law, is a sign of terror, and the wall is a monument of intimidation and silence, xenophobic hatred to silence the voices of poorly paid and ill-treated workers, unprotected families and Of abused persons.”
Of course, we would be remiss if we didn’t point out the inherent irony of Catholic opposition to border walls given the monstrosity of the structure surrounding the Vatican.
Below is a loose translation of the full editorial courtesy of Google translate:
As the months go by, Donald Trump’s immigration policies face reality. Demagoguery was easy in the campaign, but actions, in practice, become difficult in the face of the remarkable opposition of civil society, churches and activists, who are faced with an erratic government whose promises are not easy to consolidate.
Trump allocated a budget of two billion dollars for the construction of the wall, which should have solid infrastructure features and soft aesthetics to hide, under paint and lights, hatred, mutilation and division.
What is regrettable is that, on this side of the border, Mexicans are ready to collaborate with a fanatical project that annihilates the good relationship in the concert of two nations that share a common border.
In recent days, some companies with Mexican capital raised their hands to participate in the tenders, and offer technical and expertise to deal with specific aspects in the construction of the wall of ignominy, providing cement, materials, luminaires and painting; Under the good argument of being companies that generate jobs, these companies seek to make a profit, regardless of the consequences, and consolidate their presence in the industry they exploit. It is not two or three, but more than 500 companies that seek to obtain good economic slices. For them, the end justifies the means.
However, what is most surprising is the lukewarmness of the Mexican government’s economic authorities, which have not shown any firmness against these entrepreneurs.
Some have pointed out that the United States has the inalienable right to build the wall and do whatever it wishes to do, even if it violates the dignity of the people. It is those same myopes who fail to see that the wall is a frank threat that violates social relations and peace.
Recall that, in the name of ideology, entire nations and continents were divided, plunging thousands into uncertainty. The only prevailing voice was that of arms, bullets, repression and legal murder for anyone who dared to cross a border in search of freedom.
The investment of Mexican companies in the wall will end up nurturing all those forms of discrimination that throughout history have subjected millions of human beings. Virtually, joining a project that is a serious affront to dignity, is to be shot in the foot.
Any deportation, when there is no proven crime and administrative failure justified according to law, is a sign of terror, and the wall is a monument of intimidation and silence, xenophobic hatred to silence the voices of poorly paid and ill-treated workers, unprotected families and Of abused persons; It is a retreat from the noblest longings of mankind, by which much blood has been shed; Is a prelude to the destruction of the values ??of democracy and social rights.
The wall represents the predominance of a country that is considered good with the manifest destiny to overwhelm a nationality that has considered perverted and corrupt: the Mexican.
Pope Francis appeals to forge peace between nations. In February 2017, during a weekly catechesis, he said: “In the social and civil context, I appeal not to create walls, but to build bridges. Do not respond to evil with evil. They defeat evil with good, to offense with forgiveness.”
Any company intent on investing in the wall of the Trump fanatic would be immoral, but above all, its shareholders and owners should be considered as traitors to the motherland.
