Appreciate your liberty--Prayers Need

As the fires consume homes, high winds rage through the area and temperatures soar into the 90's another battle is brewing. This one has great ramifications, depending on the road taken.

Democracy is not alive and well in Mexico:

The trouble began earlier this year when the govt told MJM (Missionaries of Jesus and Mary) they could not say, "God bless you or praise God" or anything like this on radio or TV. Then a few days ago they were told they couldn't have any programming that was "occult" meaning the Mass, the rosary etc for three months. Changes were made and they took it in stride and did not let it stop the ministry. Then out of nowhere, as of yesterday Monte Maria Radio/Television is no more. The word came from the federal government that they will not allow any programing that represents Monte Maria. This also affects others (priests, doctors, professors etc) who offer regular programs on their station. On both radio and tv they will be playing music and announcing the time, name of song etc but will not proceed as normal. They are using a slogan they had when they started radio 5 years ago, "Friends in favor of the family"

On Sunday Archbishop Romo will return to the area, and they will meet to decide what is next. Relations with him have been tense in the past, but he is very angry at this news and I believe will support them. Please pray for discernment, unity and strength as they make these decisions. They are able to help so many people from Peru to LA with their families, personal issues, learn more about the Bible, kids programs, additions and on and on. Hundreds of calls are logged each day and many depend on this for hope in their lives.

The law that they are using to shut them down was instituted back in 1992 when the govt was looking at its relations with the Church. The church has always had power here and they were worried they would it to influence people. The government has mostly always been corrupt and doesn't want the church in its business. Priests and nuns couldn't even vote in an election until recently. Most Mexicans are simple people who are easily manipulated by the govt, the church etc. So a specific media law was created with many restrictions but it was greatly ignoredpast presidents, until now. So basically their entire ministry has been incontradiction to the law. Pres. Fox was supportive of the Catholic Church and Monte Maria was not even aware the law existed until last year. However, with President Calderon, everything has changed. The government does not want the church to have any power or influence and they are using an old law to shut down a successful ministry that meets people's spiritual needs. The federal govt has become very secular and Monte Maria is currently the only independent national media ministry in Mexico. So, it's only affecting them. As with most things.....it's about power.

So, what are the options?
1. As I mentioned before, they purchased a house in CA (M. Areli is a US citizen) and they are looking to transmit from TJ to the US and then back to Mexico and other parts. Then the gov't couldn't do anything. However this will take some time and money. It is possible.

2. Fight 'the man' and work for religious freedom and freedom of the press in Mexico. The bigger issue is the lack of justice and freedom of religion in Mexico. It is not a true democracy and there is religious persecution. The gov't doesn't want people to know about their faith or be educated. It wants to be the one to manipulate people. So, Monte Maria may be a test case to challenge this law, (which no one, even the legislators, really knows about) if they want to be. There is another religious station on Sky (Mexican Satellite TV Company), Mariavision, but it is owned by Televisa and they are not being held to the same standard.

It's hard to imagine that Mexico, a largely Catholic country, has religious persectution against Catholicism, but it's true. I'll let you know what happens next week after they meet with the bishop. In the meantime please pray for the Holy Spirits direction in this.

see http://www.montemaria.org/ there is a page in English and you can see all the great programming they have for children, teens, married people, Franciscan spirituality, family issues, addictions, elderly etc.