(CP) A spiritual freedom group referred to as on the Mexican authorities to guard clergy after a priest was murdered within the state of Chiapas.
Fr. Marcelo Pérez Pérez, who was shot lifeless after Mass, was a outstanding advocate of peace and human rights within the area.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) final week referred to as on the federal government to conduct an intensive investigation into the October 20 assassination within the city of San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Two days after the assassination, Mexican authorities introduced the arrest of 1 suspect. The Chiapas prosecutor's workplace recognized the alleged “materials creator” of the crime as Edgar “N,” consistent with the same old observe of not releasing full names, CBS Information 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 response to CSW, which famous that he had acquired threats after talking out in opposition to the drug commerce and associated violence within the state.
The state of Chiapas has been gripped by a cartel battle between highly effective teams like Sinaloa and the brand new era Jalisco cartels.
“Though an arrest has been made within the case, an intensive investigation is critical to make sure that all these answerable for the loss of life of Pérez Pérez's father – together with these on the very high of transnational organized crime teams – are held accountable,” stated Sgt. CSW. Advocacy, Anna Lee Stangl.
“President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and Chiapas State Governor Rutilio Escandón Cadenas should take swift and coordinated motion to eradicate these organized crime teams spreading terror all through the state, together with an aggressive battle in opposition to corruption.”
The Mexican bishops' convention 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 fought tirelessly for peace with fact and justice within the Chiapas area,” the Catholic Press Company reported.
In accordance with the Diocese of San Cristóbal de las Casas, the priest confronted a protracted interval of threats, persecution, harassment, slander and defamation. “Although he knew his life was at risk, he lived a deep religion in God and a terrific love for individuals, which led him to the final penalties,” the diocese stated.
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 targeted on his vocation, prayed quite a bit and spent lots of time in entrance of the tabernacle.”
The assassination was additionally condemned by the United Nations Group for Human Rights in Mexico. Jesús Peña Palacios, Deputy Consultant, famous that since 2015, Father Pérez Pérez has been below precautionary measures by the Inter-American Fee on Human Rights because of the fixed menace to his life and private security because of his work in protection of human rights.
“The homicide of Father Marcelo is completely unacceptable,” Peña stated. “Regardless of having protecting measures and fixed complaints in regards to the assaults he confronted, these measures weren’t adequate to forestall his homicide.”
Non secular leaders have been focused by organized crime teams in Mexico for a few years. Mexico has been named one of the harmful international locations on the earth for Roman Catholic clergymen, CSW famous.
The continued battle has pressured 1000’s to flee for his or her lives, together with greater than 500 villagers who fled Chiapas for Guatemala in July, in response to the Los Angeles Occasions.
The governor of Chiapas shared a video on social media, assuring that an investigation started instantly “in order that this homicide doesn’t go unpunished and the culprits face justice.”
At a press convention, the Mexican president stated: “We’re coordinating to have the ability to advance the investigation and make sure 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 individuals, the fruit of his devoted devotion to the Gospel and his whole devotion to Christ current amongst those that undergo essentially the most.”
The priest's funeral in his hometown was attended by lots of of mourners who chanted: “Lengthy dwell Father Marcelo, priest of the poor!” CBS Information reported that Mexico has seen greater than 450,000 murders because the controversial navy drug operation started in 2006.
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