Amid controversy since Marilyn Manson announced he would be performing a free concert in San Luis Potosi, Mexico at the National Fair (FENAPO), the day finally came for him to perform on Sunday, August 10th. A staggering 205,000 people gathered to enjoy the performance, the largest amount of people in the history of FENAPO, which is known as the most traditional fair in Mexico. This includes the total of 400,000 people throughout the fair, many of which were unable to enter the venue. It is reported also that hundreds of buses and dozens of tourist vans came from all over Mexico that day to be at the fair. And Governor Cardona reported on August 21st: " With Marilyn Manson, we had the airport packed, all the flights from the United States—Houston, San Antonio, Dallas—all the flights full of people who came from the United States to see the artist, got to know San Luis PotosÃ, and fell in love with San Luis PotosÃ.” As previously reported , on June 15th the Archbishop of San Luis ...
The Archbishop of San Luis PotosÃ, Jorge Alberto Cavazos Arizpe, clarified this Tuesday on July 8th that the Archdiocese is not behind the alleged call for 40 days of fasting and prayer in protest of Marilyn Manson's concert at the 2025 San Luis Potosà National Fair (FENAPO).
In recent days, the idea that Catholic groups were organizing a "spiritual resistance" against the artist's performance, scheduled for August 10, has circulated widely on social media, as well as in local, national, and entertainment media.
The information was disseminated without citing official sources, specific Catholic organizations, or fact-checking by the media outlets that disseminated the information.
“We haven't called for a fast. We've already said enough on this issue,” Archbishop Cavazos Arizpe stated, according to local media.
He also noted that there are more pressing issues, such as those facing communities in the Huasteca region of Potosà affected by the rains and floods, according to statements reported by the San Luis Potosà News Agency.
Despite criticisms from the Archbishop in the past, the state government and the organizers of FENAPO have reiterated that the concert will take place as planned, defending diversity in the artistic programming and respect for the secular nature of the state.
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Below is a translation of the story circulated by the Mexican media without fact checking if it was true. I want to emphasize that the story about a spiritual protest by Catholics is fake news, spread by Mexican media without fact checking:
Marilyn Manson, who has been embroiled in sexual assault allegations in America, and is also facing boycott campaigns in Great Britain, is now facing a more spiritual kind of protest in Mexico.
As was reported recently, during a press conference on June 15th 2025, Archbishop Jorge Cavazos Arizpe of San Luis Potosi revealed to journalists that he had sent a formal letter to Governor Ricardo Gallardo Cardona asking him to cancel the upcoming August 10th concert of Marilyn Manson in the Mexican city, arguing that his artistic history violates the values that should be promoted at a family and cultural event. The Governor denied his request, replying that Mexico is a secular state and artistic performances are not regulated by the Catholic Church.
Now a group of Mexican Catholics have organized a protest not with picket signs and blockades but more spiritual in nature, which will consist of "40 days of fasting, prayer, and works of mercy" to prevent Marilyn Manson's upcoming concert at the San Luis Potosà National Fair (FENAPO), an event scheduled for August 10 by the state government in the city. The 40 days fast began on July 1st and is scheduled to end on August 9th, the day before the concert.
"What kind of messages are we normalizing when we celebrate artists whose history is marked by violence, provocation, and scandal?" reads the group's statement, alluding to the multiple cases of sexual violence involving the musician.
"We know that not everyone shares our vision, and we respect freedom of thought, but as believers, we cannot remain indifferent to an event that we consider spiritually and socially disturbing," state the protest organizers, who during these 40 days intend to "offer personal sacrifices for peace, the conversion of hearts, and respect for the values that sustain society."
Marilyn Manson's stage name, which combines the names of actress Marilyn Monroe and murderer Charles Manson, is interpreted by believers as a declaration of principles opposed to life and peace.
Furthermore, they recall that after the Columbine massacre in 1999, the singer's music was pointed out by some as a possible influence on the young men responsible for the shooting.
Although these accusations have never been confirmed, the perception of Manson as a symbol of a “culture of death” persists among those who reject his presence.
Adding to these concerns are the multiple public allegations of abuse and violence that the Manson has faced in recent years. They say that figures such as Evan Rachel Wood and Stoya have accused Manson of sexual harassment and abuse, which, according to Catholics, reinforces the concern that his participation in a state event could be interpreted as a validation of behavior contrary to human dignity and justice. (It should be noted that Stoya never made any accusations against Manson).
Beyond rejecting a specific artist, Catholics invite reflection on the types of shows promoted by public institutions. They believe that the figure of Marilyn Manson, known for his provocative aesthetics and criticism of religious institutions, represents a challenge to the values shared by a large part of the population.
The case transcends the controversy surrounding a concert or an artistic figure. It becomes a meeting point and confrontation between different worldviews: freedom of expression and art versus faith, ethics, and the common good. While the state government is committed to a diverse and controversial offering to attract all audiences, religious sectors are demanding consistency and respect for the prevailing values of local society.
The question remains open as to whether, in the name of entertainment, the warnings about the potential cultural, social, and spiritual effects of these decisions should be ignored. For now, the Catholic response is expressed in the silence of fasting, prayer, and the hope that their call will find an echo.
In recent days, the idea that Catholic groups were organizing a "spiritual resistance" against the artist's performance, scheduled for August 10, has circulated widely on social media, as well as in local, national, and entertainment media.
The information was disseminated without citing official sources, specific Catholic organizations, or fact-checking by the media outlets that disseminated the information.
“We haven't called for a fast. We've already said enough on this issue,” Archbishop Cavazos Arizpe stated, according to local media.
He also noted that there are more pressing issues, such as those facing communities in the Huasteca region of Potosà affected by the rains and floods, according to statements reported by the San Luis Potosà News Agency.
Despite criticisms from the Archbishop in the past, the state government and the organizers of FENAPO have reiterated that the concert will take place as planned, defending diversity in the artistic programming and respect for the secular nature of the state.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Below is a translation of the story circulated by the Mexican media without fact checking if it was true. I want to emphasize that the story about a spiritual protest by Catholics is fake news, spread by Mexican media without fact checking:
Marilyn Manson, who has been embroiled in sexual assault allegations in America, and is also facing boycott campaigns in Great Britain, is now facing a more spiritual kind of protest in Mexico.
As was reported recently, during a press conference on June 15th 2025, Archbishop Jorge Cavazos Arizpe of San Luis Potosi revealed to journalists that he had sent a formal letter to Governor Ricardo Gallardo Cardona asking him to cancel the upcoming August 10th concert of Marilyn Manson in the Mexican city, arguing that his artistic history violates the values that should be promoted at a family and cultural event. The Governor denied his request, replying that Mexico is a secular state and artistic performances are not regulated by the Catholic Church.
Now a group of Mexican Catholics have organized a protest not with picket signs and blockades but more spiritual in nature, which will consist of "40 days of fasting, prayer, and works of mercy" to prevent Marilyn Manson's upcoming concert at the San Luis Potosà National Fair (FENAPO), an event scheduled for August 10 by the state government in the city. The 40 days fast began on July 1st and is scheduled to end on August 9th, the day before the concert.
"What kind of messages are we normalizing when we celebrate artists whose history is marked by violence, provocation, and scandal?" reads the group's statement, alluding to the multiple cases of sexual violence involving the musician.
"We know that not everyone shares our vision, and we respect freedom of thought, but as believers, we cannot remain indifferent to an event that we consider spiritually and socially disturbing," state the protest organizers, who during these 40 days intend to "offer personal sacrifices for peace, the conversion of hearts, and respect for the values that sustain society."
Marilyn Manson's stage name, which combines the names of actress Marilyn Monroe and murderer Charles Manson, is interpreted by believers as a declaration of principles opposed to life and peace.
Furthermore, they recall that after the Columbine massacre in 1999, the singer's music was pointed out by some as a possible influence on the young men responsible for the shooting.
Although these accusations have never been confirmed, the perception of Manson as a symbol of a “culture of death” persists among those who reject his presence.
Adding to these concerns are the multiple public allegations of abuse and violence that the Manson has faced in recent years. They say that figures such as Evan Rachel Wood and Stoya have accused Manson of sexual harassment and abuse, which, according to Catholics, reinforces the concern that his participation in a state event could be interpreted as a validation of behavior contrary to human dignity and justice. (It should be noted that Stoya never made any accusations against Manson).
Beyond rejecting a specific artist, Catholics invite reflection on the types of shows promoted by public institutions. They believe that the figure of Marilyn Manson, known for his provocative aesthetics and criticism of religious institutions, represents a challenge to the values shared by a large part of the population.
The case transcends the controversy surrounding a concert or an artistic figure. It becomes a meeting point and confrontation between different worldviews: freedom of expression and art versus faith, ethics, and the common good. While the state government is committed to a diverse and controversial offering to attract all audiences, religious sectors are demanding consistency and respect for the prevailing values of local society.
The question remains open as to whether, in the name of entertainment, the warnings about the potential cultural, social, and spiritual effects of these decisions should be ignored. For now, the Catholic response is expressed in the silence of fasting, prayer, and the hope that their call will find an echo.