The Bishop of Chiapas, Samuel Ruiz, and the Diocese of Chiapas reacted by offering to mediate between the rebels and authorities. However, because of this diocese's activism since the 1960s, authorities accused the clergy of being involved with the rebels.Hidalgo, p. 112. There was some ambiguity about the relationship between Ruiz and Marcos and it was a constant feature of news coverage, with many in official circles using such to discredit Ruiz. Eventually, the activities of the Zapatistas began to worry the Roman Catholic Church in general and to upstage the diocese's attempts to re establish itself among Chiapan indigenous communities against Protestant evangelization. This would lead to a breach between the Church and the Zapatistas.Hamnett, pp. 296–298.
the bishop of chiapas samuel ruiz and the diocese of chiapas reacted by offering to mediate between the rebels and authorities however because of this diocese's activism since the 1960s authorities accused the clergy of being involved with the rebelshidalgo p 112 there was some ambiguity about the relationship between ruiz and marcos and it was a constant feature of news coverage with many in official circles using such to discredit ruiz eventually the activities of the zapatistas began to worry the roman catholic church in general and to upstage the diocese's attempts to re establish itself among chiapan indigenous communities against protestant evangelization this would lead to a breach between the church and the zapatistashamnett pp 296–298