Pope Francis expressed his solidarity with the church of San Cristóbal de las Casas in Chiapas, Mexico, regarding the assassination of priest Marcelo Pérez Pérez. The pontiff emphasized the crucial role of priests in defending peace and social justice in various communities, especially in regions marked by poverty and social exclusion.
Father Marcelo Pérez was recognized for his dedication to defending the rights of indigenous people and his tireless pursuit of peace in an area historically affected by violence and poverty. His brave pastoral work confronted him with conflict situations, which the Church considers a relevant factor in the context of increasing insecurity affecting its members in Mexico.
In this regard, the Church called on authorities to take effective measures to ensure the protection of those who risk their lives for peace and justice. Additionally, it recalled the assassination of other religious figures in the country, such as Jesuits Joaquín Mora and Javier Campos, whose memory still endures in the pain of the ecclesiastical community.
The crime against Father Marcelo Pérez is not an isolated incident in Mexico, a country facing high levels of violence that have claimed the lives of several priests in recent years. The Catholic Church made an urgent call to stop the wave of violence and stated that each lost life represents a cry for justice and peace. Pope Francis joined in the lament for the murder of Pérez, a constant defender in his denunciation against the violence of organized crime, asserting that the truth is also a risk to life in vulnerable communities.
