(CP) A non secular freedom group has called on the Mexican government to guard clergy after a priest was assassinated in Chiapas State.
Fr. Marcelo Pérez Pérez, who was shot to death after officiating Mass, had been a outstanding advocate for peace and human rights within the region.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) last week urged the federal government to conduct an intensive investigation into the Oct. 20 assassination in the town of San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Two days after the assassination, Mexican authorities announced the arrest of 1 suspect. The Chiapas public prosecutor’s office identified the alleged “material writer” of the crime as Edgar “N,” following the same old practice of not giving full names, CBS News reported.
In September, Fr. Pérez Pérez led a public march calling for peace and spoke out against the growing presence of organized crime in Chiapas, in response to CSW, which noted that he had received threats after speaking out against drug trafficking and related violence within the state.
Chiapas State has been gripped by a cartel turf war between powerful groups just like the Sinaloa and the Jalisco New Generation Cartels.
“Although an arrest has been made within the case, an intensive investigation is imperative to be certain that all those answerable for Father Pérez Pérez’s death — including those on the very top of transnational organized criminal groups — are held to account,” said CSW’s Head of Advocacy, Anna Lee Stangl.
“President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and Chiapas State Governor Rutilio Escandón Cadenas must take swift and coordinated steps to eradicate these organized criminal groups spreading terror across the state, and this includes aggressively combatting corruption.”
The Mexican Bishops’ Conference lamented the “brutal murder” of the priest, noting that the act “not only deprives the community of a dedicated pastor but additionally silences a prophetic voice that tirelessly fought for peace with truth and justice within the Chiapas region,” said Catholic News Agency.
According to the Diocese of San Cristóbal de las Casas, the priest had faced an extended period of threats, persecution, harassment, slander and defamation. “Even knowing that his life was at risk, he lived a profound faith in God and an excellent love for the those who took him to the final word consequences,” the diocese stated.
Cardinal Felipe Arizmendi, who ordained Father Pérez Pérez, described him as a person “committed to justice and peace amongst Indigenous peoples.” He added that the priest was “very focused on his vocation, very prayerful and spent numerous time before the tabernacle.”
The United Nations Human Rights Organization in Mexico also condemned the assassination. Jesús Peña Palacios, deputy representative, noted that since 2015, Father Pérez Pérez had been under precautionary measures from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights because of the constant risk to his life and private safety due to his work in defense of human rights.
“The murder of Father Marcelo is completely unacceptable,” Peña said. “Despite having protective measures and constant complaints concerning the attacks he faced, these were insufficient to forestall his murder.”
Religious leaders have been targets of organized criminal groups in Mexico for a few years. Mexico has been designated probably the most dangerous on the earth for Roman Catholic priests, CSW noted.
The ongoing conflict has forced hundreds to flee for his or her lives, including 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 began immediately “in order that this homicide doesn’t go unpunished and that the guilty parties face justice.”
At a press conference, the Mexican President said, “We are coordinating to give you the chance to make progress within the investigation and be certain that this crime doesn’t go unpunished.”
The Latin American Bishops’ Council recognized Father Pérez Pérez as a “tireless seeker of peace and justice for his people, the fruit of his faithful commitment to the Gospel and his total dedication to Christ present amongst those who are suffering probably the most.”
Hundreds of mourners attended the priest’s funeral in his hometown, chanting, “Long live Father Marcelo, priest of the poor!” CBS News reported, noting that Mexico has seen greater than 450,000 murders since a controversial military anti-drug operation was launched in 2006.
