EGN NEWS DESK
(CP) A non secular freedom group has referred to as on the Mexican authorities to guard clergy after a priest was assassinated in Chiapas State.
Fr. Marcelo Pérez Pérez, who was shot to dying after officiating Mass, had been a outstanding advocate for peace and human rights within the area.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) final week urged the federal government to conduct an intensive investigation into the Oct. 20 assassination within the metropolis of San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Two days after the assassination, Mexican authorities introduced the arrest of 1 suspect. The Chiapas public prosecutor’s workplace recognized the alleged “materials creator” of the crime as Edgar “N,” following the same old follow of not giving full names, CBS News reported.
In September, Fr. Pérez Pérez led a public march calling for peace and spoke out in opposition to the rising presence of organized crime in Chiapas, in keeping with CSW, which famous that he had obtained threats after talking out in opposition to drug trafficking and associated violence within the state.
Chiapas State has been gripped by a cartel turf warfare between highly effective teams just like the Sinaloa and the Jalisco New Generation Cartels.
“Although an arrest has been made within the case, an intensive investigation is crucial to make sure that all these liable for Father Pérez Pérez’s dying — together with these on the very prime of transnational organized legal teams — are held to account,” stated CSW’s Head of Advocacy, Anna Lee Stangl.
“President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and Chiapas State Governor Rutilio Escandón Cadenas should take swift and coordinated steps to eradicate these organized legal teams spreading terror throughout the state, and this consists of aggressively combatting corruption.”
The Mexican Bishops’ Conference lamented the “brutal homicide” of the priest, noting that the act “not solely deprives the group of a devoted pastor but in addition silences a prophetic voice that tirelessly fought for peace with fact and justice within the Chiapas area,” stated Catholic News Agency.
According to the Diocese of San Cristóbal de las Casas, the priest had confronted an extended interval of threats, persecution, harassment, slander and defamation. “Even figuring out that his life was at risk, he lived a profound religion in God and an amazing love for the folks that took him to the final word penalties,” the diocese said.
Cardinal Felipe Arizmendi, who ordained Father Pérez Pérez, described him as a person “dedicated to justice and peace amongst Indigenous peoples.” He added that the priest was “very centered on his vocation, very prayerful and spent lots of time earlier than the tabernacle.”
The United Nations Human Rights Organization in Mexico additionally condemned the assassination. Jesús Peña Palacios, deputy consultant, famous that since 2015, Father Pérez Pérez had been below precautionary measures from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights as a result of fixed threat to his life and private security due to his work in protection of human rights.
“The homicide of Father Marcelo is completely unacceptable,” Peña stated. “Despite having protecting measures and fixed complaints in regards to the assaults he confronted, these had been inadequate to stop his homicide.”
Religious leaders have been targets of organized legal teams in Mexico for a few years. Mexico has been designated one of the crucial harmful on the earth for Roman Catholic clergymen, CSW famous.
The ongoing battle has compelled hundreds to flee for his or her lives, together with greater than 500 villagers who fled Chiapas into Guatemala in July, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
The governor of Chiapas shared a video on social media assuring that investigations started instantly “in order that this murder doesn’t go unpunished and that the responsible events face justice.”
At a press convention, the Mexican President stated, “We are coordinating to have the ability to make progress within the investigation and be certain that this crime doesn’t go unpunished.”
The Latin American Bishops’ Council acknowledged Father Pérez Pérez as a “tireless seeker of peace and justice for his folks, the fruit of his trustworthy dedication to the Gospel and his complete dedication to Christ current amongst those that endure probably the most.”
Hundreds of mourners attended the priest’s funeral in his hometown, chanting, “Long stay Father Marcelo, priest of the poor!” CBS News reported, noting that Mexico has seen greater than 450,000 murders since a controversial army anti-drug operation was launched in 2006.
© The Christian Post
