Catholic Church in Quintana Roo Prioritizes Outreach to Maya Communities

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The Catholic Church in Quintana Roo is making outreach to Maya communities a priority under the new leadership of Bishop Salvador González Morales of the Cancún-Chetumal Archdiocese. Bishop González Morales announced plans to reach every corner of the state, emphasizing the importance of indigenous communities.

He noted that the church is translating more books into Maya, though he does not speak the language himself. He thanked the indigenous community for their participation in his installation ceremony and acknowledged their significance in the region.

“For us, it will be very important to have closer ties with the native peoples. I didn’t offer a message in Maya because I don’t speak it, but I value the richness of these lands, and the gospel must reach all people,” he emphasized.

The Mexican Bible Society has translated the complete Bible into seven native languages, supporting language preservation. A version in the Maya spoken on the Yucatan Peninsula is available in both print and digital formats.

According to the National Institute of Indigenous Languages (INALI), there are 68 ethnic groups with 364 recognized language variants, but only 122 of these groups have a Bible, New Testament, or biblical portion available.

Bishop González Morales also mentioned that he has met with priests and pastoral groups this week to understand the dynamics of the Catholic Church in Quintana Roo. “Over the weekend after the installation, I had the opportunity to tour the entire territory of the Diocese, which was a great chance to realize the various situations that arise,” he explained.

He added that after Lent, Holy Week begins, and a special program is being prepared for it. This Sunday, he will officiate his first mass at noon at the Cancún cathedral, where he will deliver a relevant message about International Women’s Day during his homily.

The bishop also announced that an analysis of the Diocese’s operations is currently underway, and changes are possible but still under review.