Indigenous Catholic Priest Marcelo Pérez Pérez Shot Dead After Mass in Chiapas

Oct 20, 2024, 09:45 PM

An indigenous Catholic priest, Marcelo Pérez Pérez, was shot dead in Chiapas, Mexico, after celebrating Mass on Sunday morning. The incident highlights the escalating violence in the region. Pérez, known for his commitment to the most vulnerable and his stance against organized crime, was intercepted by gunmen on a motorcycle. The Mexican government and various organizations, including the United Nations Human Rights Office in Mexico, have condemned the killing and called for a thorough investigation. The Bishop of San Cristóbal de las Casas, Rodrigo Aguilar Martínez, expressed the church's commitment to peace, while the Mexican Episcopal Conference and the Jesuit Order demanded justice. The governor of Chiapas, Rutilio Escandón, and other officials also condemned the assassination. Cardinal Felipe Arizmendi Esquivel lamented the loss, noting Pérez was one of the first indigenous priests he ordained.