Plea for tax concessions

Monasteries and convents in Mexico are being crippled by land taxes, according to Mexico City Cardinal Norberto Rivera, writes Isabel de Bertodano. The cardinal said he had raised the matter with officials, who understood the difficulties but failed to do anything about it.

Addressing a group of Religious in Mexico City last week he said he hoped somebody in government would have the courage to say that an exception needs to be made for the religious houses. There are 39 such houses in Mexico City, housing 500 people, that are charged up to £20,000 annually.