# Holy Smoke: Mexico, the Catholic Church & the rise of the cartel cults

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/best-of-the-spectator-45373/holy-smoke-mexico-the-catholic-church-the-rise-of-the-cartel-cults
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/best-of-the-spectator-45373/holy-smoke-mexico-the-catholic-church-the-rise-of-the-cartel-cults.md
Podcast: [Best of the Spectator](https://stenobird.com/podcast/best-of-the-spectator-45373)
Published: 2026-06-08T09:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://shows.acast.com/best-of-the-spectator/episodes/holy-smoke-mexico-the-catholic-church-the-rise-of-the-cartel
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/68358fb5e1abc4be6b0308eb/e/6a26711cebd8b0fa733ff08f/media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=-9ZPfYe2aE2i5z8Hc4LlNttywc-eMLxZK2DqfM7ByZQ
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Duration seconds: 1654

## Resource

Friend of Holy Smoke Fr. Alexander Lucie-Smith joins Damian Thompson to talk about the complicated relationship between the drug cartels in Mexico and the Catholic Church. The violence of the cartels has led to a flourishing of shrines – and also cults – which have seen Catholic and pagan beliefs fuse together, and which are not always condemned by all church leaders. What motivates the Mexicans who turn to these beliefs? And what does Mexico tell us about corruption across the wider Church? Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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## Transcript

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