Priest refuses to remove cassock to renew passport in Mexico
Father Alberto Medel denounced discrimination after Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials demanded he remove his clerical attire for a passport photo.
TL;DR
- Father Alberto Medel was asked to remove his clerical vestments for a passport photo renewal in Mexico City.
- He described the request as discriminatory and a violation of his religious freedom.
- An SRE official cited internal regulations prohibiting religious symbols in photos.
- Medel refused, citing his right to dress according to his state of life.
- After consultation, he was allowed to be photographed in his vestments.
- However, he was later told his passport application would not be processed with the photo.
- Roberto Velasco Álvarez, head of the SRE, intervened, stating the photo should be retaken with his clerical attire.
- Medel referenced a Supreme Court ruling that allows religious attire in passport photos if identification is not hindered.
- He aims for the SRE to issue clear instructions to prevent similar incidents for other religious individuals.
- Medel has faced similar instances of discrimination and insults due to his clerical dress.