Complaint Against Church For Political Meddling Dismissed In Mexico

In Mexico on Saturday, the Interior Department dismissed a complaint that had been filed against the Catholic Church accusing it of illegally becoming involved in politics. The charges grew out of the Church's campaign against legalizing abortion in Mexico City. The Associated Press reported yesterday that, despite the dismissal, Church leaders are drawing up proposals to change the law that now bars priests from forming political associations or holding political meetings at churches. Armando Martinez, president of Mexico's Catholic Lawyers College, said that priests should be able to "fully express themselves politically" so long as they do not support political parties or run as candidates.