Two kidnapped priests found dead in Mexico

Jardine Malado Thursday, September 22, 2016

Two kidnapped priests turned up dead a day after they were kidnapped in the Mexican state of Veracruz. Fr. Alejo Nabor Jimenez Juarez and Fr. Jose Alfredo Juarez de la Cruz were abducted by armed men from Our Lady of Fatima Parish Church in Poza Rica on Sept. 18.

Poza Rica is known to be a focal point for drug and human trafficking. The bodies of the priests were found on Sept. 19 alongside a highway. Both suffered from gunshot wounds and had their hands and feet tied up.

A layman was also abducted but was able to escape. He had been placed under police protection.

A cathedral in Veracruz, Mexico | Wikimedia Commons/Enrique Carpio FotÃ³grafo

State officials announced on Sept. 20 that the identity of one of the five suspects had been established. The authorities believe that the suspects wanted to steal the church building fund.

The Mexican Bishop's Conference released a statement regarding the murders: "In these moments of pain, impotence and tragedy provoked by violence, we raise our prayers to the heavens for the eternal rest of our brothers and implore to the Lord the conversion of the aggressors. Of the authorities, we await the clarification of the acts and the application of those responsible."

Omar Sotelo of the Catholic Multimedia Center blamed the attacks on criminal gangs. He said that the most vulnerable priests are those working in Guerrero state.

"The priests who have been killed have been killed in very cruel, violent ways," he added.

Guerrero had been named as the most violent state in Mexico. Earlier this month, bishops from the Archdiocese of Acapulco in Guerrero state called on the government and the public to work together to combat against violence.

In 2014, at least three priests have been found dead in the state under suspicious circumstances.

The Catholic Multimedia Center asserted that Mexico is the most dangerous nation for Catholic priests. According to the organization, 38 priests had either died or vanished in the last 25 years. 14 priests had been found murdered in Mexico since 2012 and two priests were still considered missing.