In recent days, Catholic media outlets in Mexico and Latin America — notably ACI Prensa — have repeated the now-familiar warnings against integrating the integration of Santa Muerte into Day of the Dead commemorations. What is new this year is the particularly severe condemnation of what some have called GuadaMuerte, the fusion of Santa Muerte … Continue reading GuadaMuerte Rebuked by the Catholic Press in Latin America
Bone Mother in Belfast – Santa Muerte as Safe Space in Northern Ireland
I was raised Catholic and made to attend mass, which I hated as I had no choice. When me and my husband lost our son and our survivor was in special care, I totally lost faith in God and Jesus at that stage. I thought, if God was a loving God why take away someone's … Continue reading Bone Mother in Belfast – Santa Muerte as Safe Space in Northern Ireland
Sister Death – The Case For Santa Muerte as Part of Christian Theology
The Roman Catholic Church declares that those who are devoted to Santa Muerte cannot be followers of Jesus, as He conquered death on the cross, which factually is not correct. Jesus died on the cross fully experiencing the mortality we humans know and embraced our Bony Mother when He left his mortal coil. There was … Continue reading Sister Death – The Case For Santa Muerte as Part of Christian Theology
Death to Santa Muerte – Catholic Priests Incite Parishioners to Torch Effigy in Zacatecas Church
Up the hill at the diminutive Santa Muerte chapel what most caught my eye was the unusual depiction of the Skeleton Saint. Its fleshy, mummy-like face is very similar to two other of the oldest images of the Mexican saint of death, the effigy of Tepatepec, Hidalgo, which was created as a likeness of Saint Bernard Clarivaux, and Doña Sebastiana of New Mexico and Colorado.
Death Defies Devastating Blaze – Santa Muerte Statue Found Intact at Torched Salvadoran Market
On the night of March 10, 2021, a fire seared through the market of Santa Ana. The only object to be found intact amidst the rubble of the market, was a statue of Santa Muerte.
Unholy Death – Catholic Condemnation of Santa Muerte
According to the Roman Catholic Church, Santa Muerte and the Catholic faith are two distinct beliefs and practices, or one follows the Mexican folk saint of death, or one follows the church. The pope, bishops and priests have stated this already frequently for years now.
“Feast Day” for the Oldest Santa Muerte in Mexico Who Was Kidnapped for 40 Years
In a bizarre turn of events, sometime in the 1950s, a town priest stormed into the Cruz home and abducted the skeletal effigy. Alleging that devotees prayed to the statue for evil purposes, such as murder, the cleric...
Top Vatican Official Rebukes Santa Muerte – Again
Italian cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture, has reiterated his denunciation of Santa Muerte issued in Mexico City four years ago. Speaking yesterday at Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria he said, "These depravaties, blasphemies, and idolatries have become a real and perverse cult among Mexican narcos with the veneration of Santa Muerte, … Continue reading Top Vatican Official Rebukes Santa Muerte – Again
Santa Muerte and Human Sacrifice in Mexico and Guatemala
Since Santa Muerte went public in 2001 there have been numerous cases of alleged human sacrifice to the skeleton saint. The great majority follow the pattern of the two latest cases, one in Chihuahua, Mexico, and the other in Guatemala City. In the Mexican case involving the shocking murder of a 6 year-old boy by … Continue reading Santa Muerte and Human Sacrifice in Mexico and Guatemala
Santa Muerte News: Human Hands and New Documentary
While Santa Muerte has become a permanent newsmaker, she received an extraordinary amount of coverage over the past couple weeks. The biggest story, by far, was one that Italian journalist Ludavico Laccino and I teamed up for on a series of Mexican cartel hitwomen who had adopted the nom de guerre of "Flaca" (often spelled … Continue reading Santa Muerte News: Human Hands and New Documentary
Most Holy Death 