Story By: Lisa-Maria Goertz, Sub-Editor: Joana Mihajlovska, Agency: Newsflash

A Mexican bishop has caused a stir by claiming that wearing face masks shows “a lack of faith in God”.

The incident was reported in Ciudad Victoria in the north-eastern Mexican state of Tamaulipas.

The bishop of the Diocese of Ciudad Victoria, Antonio Gonzalez Sanchez, said during service on Sunday (14 February): “For me, on a personal level, the famous mask is to not trust in God.”

The priest said he could feel how people are full of panic and this fear in his opinion was “a lack of faith in God”.

He added: “I understand that tomorrow I could maybe get sick because I’m not immune to anything, but I walk around like this, as you can see my face, almost always.

“It is not presumption, it is God’s grace. I walk like this because I trust God.”

The bishop then asked the congregation to join him in pray for the end of the pandemic and said he strongly wished to be able to see their faces again and the church full like it used to be.

The words of the religious leader hit the headlines across Mexico, prompting messages of both outrage and support.

Netizen ‘David Flores’ said: “Trusting in God is one thing and not wearing a mask is another, everyone has to use it in this pandemic, no matter what religion we have, with all due respect.”

Social media user ‘Anais Flores’ wrote: “He is not actually telling you not to use it.”

‘Aguila Gonzalez’ said: “I agree with the bishop, NO face coverings. God bless you.”

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