Deacon Juan Pérez Gómez Blends Catholic and Mayan Traditions in Simojovel, Honoring Pope Francis' Legacy

Deacon Juan Pérez Gómez leads a Tsotsil Catholic community in Simojovel, Chiapas, Mexico, blending Catholic and Mayan traditions. Ordained in 2022 after a 20-year wait, he embodies the vision of a 'Native church' promoted by Bishop Samuel Ruiz and Pope Francis. Pérez Gómez conducts services in Tsotsil, incorporating Indigenous rituals, with his wife, Crecencia López, assisting. This approach aligns with Pope Francis' support for Indigenous cultures and human rights. The community hopes the next pope will continue Francis' legacy of inclusivity and respect for Indigenous identity.

A Deacon Rooted in Two Worlds

At 57, Juan Pérez Gómez stands as a spiritual leader deeply rooted in both Catholicism and his Tsotsil heritage. His ordination as a deacon in 2022 marked the culmination of a 20-year journey inspired by the late Bishop Samuel Ruiz, who envisioned a church that embraced Indigenous identity rather than suppressing it. Ruiz’s efforts to empower Indigenous communities in Chiapas through the diaconate were initially met with resistance from the Vatican, which suspended the program in 2002. It was only under Pope Francis that the initiative was revived in 2014, paving the way for Pérez Gómez’s ordination.

Pérez Gómez now serves a small but devoted community in Simojovel, a mountainous region known for its political and cultural complexity. His role as a deacon allows him to perform baptisms, lead prayers, and distribute Communion—though he must still rely on a priest to consecrate the wafers in advance. On Saturdays, he travels to a nearby church to collect the consecrated hosts, often accompanied by community members who participate in a blessing ceremony before the Sunday service.

A Mass of Two Traditions

At a recent Mass held in memory of Pope Francis, the altar in Simojovel was adorned with both Catholic and Mayan symbols. A statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe stood beside traditional Indigenous offerings. Pérez Gómez read the Gospel in Tsotsil, and his wife, Crecencia López, distributed Communion wafers to the congregation. Indigenous women knelt in prayer, and the service included elements of Mayan ritual, such as incense and communal blessings.

This blending of traditions reflects a broader shift in the Catholic Church’s approach to Indigenous cultures, one that Pope Francis actively encouraged. During his 2016 visit to Chiapas, Francis authorized the use of Mayan languages in the liturgy and welcomed Indigenous expressions of faith, including dance and ritual offerings. For Pérez Gómez, these changes were not merely symbolic—they were transformative.

“Francis also talked about liberation,” he said. “We are no longer objects, but rather people.” He refers to both Francis and Ruiz with the Tseltal honorific “jtatik,” a paternal term of deep respect.

A Family Ministry

Pérez Gómez’s ministry is a family affair. His wife, Crecencia López, is a visible and active presence during services, standing beside him at the altar and assisting with the distribution of Communion. The couple shares a vision of a more inclusive church, one that recognizes the spiritual leadership of Indigenous women. They smile at the thought that one day, he might be allowed to become a priest and she a deacon—roles currently restricted by church doctrine.

Their partnership reflects the communal nature of Indigenous spirituality, where leadership is often shared and rooted in family and community ties. It also underscores the evolving role of women in the church, particularly in regions where traditional gender roles are being reexamined through the lens of faith and cultural identity.

Honoring Pope Francis’ Legacy

The death of Pope Francis in 2025 was a moment of profound reflection for Pérez Gómez and his community. During a memorial Mass in Simojovel, he invoked the pope’s teachings on human rights, environmental stewardship, and the dignity of Indigenous peoples. “We ask God that the work he did for us not be in vain,” he told his congregation. “We ask you to choose a new pope, a new servant, who hopefully Lord thinks the same way.”

Francis’ papacy marked a turning point for Indigenous Catholics in Mexico. His willingness to listen, to adapt, and to validate Indigenous expressions of faith gave new life to communities like Simojovel. For Pérez Gómez, the pope’s legacy is not just theological—it is personal. It is the reason he now stands at the altar, Bible in hand, speaking the Gospel in the language of his ancestors.

A Church That Listens

The integration of Mayan rituals into Catholic worship was not easily achieved. Cardinal Felipe Arizmendi, former bishop of San Cristóbal de las Casas, recalled the challenges of negotiating with both the Vatican and the Mexican government to allow such practices. But the effort was ultimately seen as a “theological act of deep listening and conversion,” according to Mexican anthropologist Arturo Lomelí. The church, he said, began to see Indigenous rituals not as threats, but as “legitimate ways to express and live the faith.”

This shift has allowed leaders like Pérez Gómez to serve their communities in ways that are both culturally authentic and spiritually grounded. His services are not only religious ceremonies but also acts of cultural preservation and resistance. In a region historically marked by marginalization and conflict—including the 1994 Zapatista uprising—his ministry offers a path of reconciliation and dignity.

A Hopeful Future

As the Catholic Church prepares to choose a new pope, Pérez Gómez and his community in Simojovel hope that the next leader will continue the work begun by Francis. They seek a church that honors their identity, supports their rights, and walks with them in their struggles.

For now, Pérez Gómez continues his ministry with quiet determination. On Saturdays, he walks the dirt roads of his farm before preparing the altar for Sunday Mass. On Sundays, he stands before his congregation, a deacon in a woven sash, speaking the words of the Gospel in Tsotsil, surrounded by the symbols of two faiths united in one purpose.

References

• Indigenous Catholics hope the next pope shares Francis' approach to Native people
• AP PHOTOS: Indigenous deacon in Mexico echoes late pope's call to defend rights and Mother Earth
• AP PHOTOS: Indigenous deacon in Mexico echoes late pope's call to defend rights and Mother Earth
• Indigenous Catholics hope the next pope shares Francis' approach to Native people