Samuel Ruiz

Samuel Ruiz García ( born November 3, 1924 in Irapuato, Guanajuato State, Mexico, † January 24, 2011 in Mexico City) was Mexican priest and bishop of San Cristobal de las Casas and peace activist. He was regarded as a defender of the cause of indigenous natives of Mexico, the Maya.

Life

At the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and his doctorate in theology and biblical studies on 2 April 1949 in Rome Samuel Ruiz García, son of mestizos received, after completing his theological and philosophical studies to the priesthood. He was a professor and rector of the seminary in Leon, Mexico.

1959 Samuel Ruiz García was by Pope John XXIII. appointed bishop of the diocese located in indigenous territory southern Mexico San Cristobal de Las Casas. The episcopal ordination was donated to him on 25 January 1960. Samuel Ruiz García was a Council Father of all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council.

Ruiz García was 1965-1970 President of the natives of Mexico to the Commission in the Mexican Episcopal Conference ( Conferencia del Episcopado Mexicano ). In 1970 he became president of the Missionary Department of the Latin American Episcopal Conference ( CELAM). He founded in 1974 the National Congress of Native of Mexico and 1988, the Centre for Human Rights " Fray Bartolomé de las Casas " represent the interests of natives and inhabitants of Chiapas against the violence. He became president of the Secretariado Internacional Cristiano de Solidaridad con América Latina ( SICSAL ) 1992. From 1994 to 1998, Samuel Ruiz García hired as president of the National Mediation Commission CONAI ( Comisión Nacional de Intermediación ).

He died from the effects of hypertension and diabetes. Mexican President Felipe Calderon said Bishop Ruiz's death " represents a great loss for Mexico ."

Work

For 40 years he fought for the rights of indigenous natives of Mexico and was regarded as the successor of the Dominican Bishop Bartolomé de Las Casas, who entered in the 16th century for the rights of indigenous people. With his commitment, he incurred the wrath and hatred of the large landowners, the the "red bishop" or " traitors " called him. In addition to the allegations of the Church, to distort the faith within the theology of liberation, there were several death threats and assassination attempts on him.

He was a member and now also President of the National Mediation Commission CONAI ( Comisión Nacional de Intermediación ) and switched from 1994 to 1998 - even with the use of a hunger strike - the conflict between the Mexican government, the military and the indigenous Zapatista National Liberation Army and the indigenous people in the state Chiapas. Yet he remained until 2000 bishop without draining of the goal of helping the oppressed. Ruiz García, who spoke four Mayan languages ​​, was a harsh critic of neoliberalism and the situation of human rights in Mexico.

Samuel Ruiz García in 1994, 1995 and 1996, nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Honors and Awards

  • Pacem in Terris Award ( 1996)
  • Martin Ennals Award ( 1997)
  • Romero Prize (1999 ) of " Be free ," the developmental action of the Catholic Men's Movement
  • Simón Bolívar Prize from the UNESCO ( 2000)
  • Nuremberg International Human Rights Award (2001)
  • Niwano Peace Prize (2002)
Peace movement Maya civilization Holy orders Integrated Authority File
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