by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

MEXICO CITY (Worthy News) – A Christian pastor in southern Mexico has been expelled from his village after refusing to participate in rituals linked to traditional religious practices, Christians told Worthy News on Thursday.

Pastor Mariano Velasquez Martinez had been serving residents of the community of Santiago Malacatepec in Mexico’s southern Oaxaca state, alongside his wife and infant child, according to advocacy group Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC), which has closely followed the case.

Tensions reportedly began in November 2025, when village authorities asked Pastor Velasquez to take on a community leadership position. He agreed on the condition that he would not be required to participate in rituals associated with the community’s traditional religious practices, the group said.

However, during a local festival on January 15, Pastor Velasquez was reportedly ordered to light candles and kneel in prayer before an image of the apostle St. James. When he refused on biblical grounds, a complaint was filed with village authorities, according to Christian sources.

DETENTION AND FORCED EXPULSION

Two days later, Pastor Velasquez was allegedly bound with ropes and detained for five days. He was then brought before a community assembly, where he was formally expelled from the village, VOMC told Worthy News.

Christian sources said the pastor was forced to sign a document acknowledging his expulsion and has since expressed concern that it could be used to falsely suggest that he left the community voluntarily rather than under coercion.

Pastor Velasquez and his family are now temporarily staying with relatives in Oaxaca City following their sudden displacement, Worthy News learned.

In parts of rural Oaxaca state and other regions of southern Mexico, the dominant belief system is a syncretism of Roman Catholicism and traditional indigenous religious practices. This ritual-based system plays a central role in community life, Christian advocates say.

BIBLE-BELIEVING CHRISTIANS REFUSE STATUE VENERATION

Bible-believing Christians, including evangelical pastors such as Velasquez, say they cannot bow, kneel, or pray before statues or religious images—even those depicting Jesus’ apostles—because they believe Scripture forbids acts that resemble worship of images.

They cite biblical passages such as Exodus 20:4–5, which warns against bowing down to carved images, and Acts 10:25–26, where the apostle Peter refuses honor that resembles worship, directing it to God alone.

Christians holding this view emphasize that reverence or prayer directed toward any image compromises exclusive devotion to God through Jesus Christ.

As a result, participation in ritual acts involving statues is often seen by evangelical believers as a violation of conscience rather than a cultural preference, Christian sources explained.

INDIGENOUS PRACTICES AND RELIGIOUS PRESSURE

While religious freedom is protected under Mexican law, numerous indigenous communities operate under local governance systems.

In such settings, efforts to enforce religious uniformity have resulted in harassment, exclusion, and displacement of Christians and others whose beliefs differ from community norms, according to Christian rights investigators.

In September 2025, Oaxaca state enacted legislation prohibiting forced displacement and establishing potential prison sentences for those responsible.

A formal complaint has since been submitted to state authorities on behalf of Pastor Velasquez and his family, sources said.

PRAYER CALL AMID LEGAL CHALLENGE

Christians worldwide were urged to respond in prayer. “Pray that God would provide wisdom and guidance for Pastor Velasquez, his family, and all those who are advocating on his behalf,” supporters were told.

“Ask the Lord to reveal the truth to state authorities regarding the illegal nature of Pastor Velasquez’s displacement from the village, despite the expulsion document that he was forced to sign,” VOMC wrote in a prayer alert.

“May the Lord make a way for this displaced family to peacefully return to their home and practice their faith without opposition,” the group added.

Christians were also urged to intercede for those opposed to the pastor’s scripturally based beliefs. It was crucial to pray, VOMC said, “that they will be convicted by the Holy Spirit for their wrongdoing, brought to repentance, and realize the need to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.”

Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.

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