Morelos is known as one of the most politically active states in the Republic of México. The history of our State goes back to the prehispanic age when the Nahua group of the Tlahuicas were in this region, posing as sugarcane workers of the conquistador Hernan Cortés. Later the siege of Cuautla led by the mulatto priest of Michoacán, José María Morelos y Pavón during the War of Independence gave the State of Morelos its' name. Perhaps Morelos' history of activism is best exemplified by the armed peasant struggle led by General Emiliano Zapata Salazar during the Mexican Revolution.

Don Sergio Mendez Arceo, VII Bishop of Cuernavaca (1952 - 1982), fought in defense of human rights in Mexico and Latin America throughout his life. He was the first to emit a decree excommunicating those involved in the horrendous act of torture, on April 17, 1981.

Liberation theology and Base Christian Communities also play an important role in the political activism of our State. The seventh Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Cuernavaca, Monseñor Sergio Méndez Arceo was a visionary of liberation theology and a staunch supporter of the BCCs. The fight for independent unions in Morelos gained national acclaim, and Don Sergio's solidary and support of the union struggle was well known.

Because of his simple and activist life, Méndez was recognized by all as a bishop who defended causes of justice and stood against authoritarianism. He was known for his preferential option for the poor, and because of that his enemies called him the “Red Bishop”, the “Communist Bishop”, or the “Guerrilla Bishop”. But for those who identified with him, he continues to be Don Sergio, the Father of Solidarity.

CETLALIC was born from the Mexican Solidarity Movement toward Central America, and Don Sergio supported us from the beginning.

CETLALIC is more than a Spanish school, different from the 30 other language schools in Cuernavaca. We are a project, and what makes us different is our alternative nature; our option for social justice causes; our birth in the Mexican solidarity movement with Central America, especially El Salvador; our concern for contributing to the creation of a more just world; our involvement in causes that stand for justice and against neoliberalism and globalization; our preservation of human values: respect, tolerance, brotherhood / sisterhood, solidarity, peace, diversity, integration, and more.

In CETLALIC, we seek to share information and raise awareness through our classes.

On April 17th, 1981, Méndez excommunicated all who practiced torture:

“On this good Friday of 1981, in keeping with my duty as a pastor, a servant of the life and dignity of humankind, I decree the punishment of excommunication to the torturers….”

“Among the gravest form by which one can offend the smallest brother….his life, his integrity, and dignity, is torture, physical and psychological….”

Since 1993 different organizations have promoted the Don Sergio Méndez Arceo Prize for Human Rights. Winners are organizations and individuals considered outstanding for their bravery in the defense and promotion of a culture of respect for human rights in our country.

Winners of the National Prize

Some of the organizations that promote this prize are:

• Grupo de Estudio y Reflexión de Cuernavaca, Morelos
• Centro de Derechos Humanos Don Sergio de Tejalpa, Jiutepec, Morelos
• Grupo Sacerdotes Amigos de Don Sergio, de Cuernavaca, Morelos
• Centro de Mujeres CIDHAL AC, de Cuernavaca, Morelos
• Centro Nacional de Comunicación Social (CENCOS) de México, DF
• Secretariado Internacional Cristiano de Solidaridad con América Latina (SICSAL) de México DF
• Centro Antonio Montesinos (CAM) de México DF
• Comité de Solidaridad Monseñor Romero, de México, DF
• Academia Mexicana de Derechos Humanos AC (AMDH) de México, DF
• Desarrollo Económico Social de los Mexicanos Indígenas (DESMI) de San
• Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas.
• Centro de Derechos Humanos “Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, de San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas.
• Ciudadanos en Acción por los Derechos Humanos (CADHAC) de Monterrey, NL
• Instituto Mexicano para el Desarrollo Comunitario (IMDEC) de Guadalajara, Jalisco.
  

And OF COURSE Centro Tlahuica de Lengua e Intercambio Cultural AC (CETLALIC)

CETLALIC Administrator Martha Mata with students.

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