Today, Sunday, October 27, papa Francisco lamented the murder of the father Marcelo Pérez Pérezin San Cristobal de las CasasChiapas.
At the end of the prayer called ‘angelus from a window of the Apostolic Palace, in the Vatican, the Pope Francis expressed solidarity with the Catholic Church of Mexico after the murder of the Tzotzil priest Marcelo Pérez Pérezrecorded last Sunday, October 20 in Chiapas.
In his message, the religious leader described Father Marcelo Pérez as a “fervent servant of the Gospel and the faithful people of God”.
Papa Francisco (Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)
“May your sacrifice be a seed of peace and Christian life,” says Pope Francis about the murder of Father Marcelo Pérez Pérez
He papa Francisco expressed that he joins the Catholic church of San Cristóbal de las Casas that for the murder of the priest Marcelo Pérez Pérez last Sunday.
“I join the beloved church of San Cristóbal de las Casas, in the Mexican state of Chiapaswho mourns the murder of the priest Marcelo Pérez Pérez last Sunday,” he indicated.
He requested that “His sacrifice, like that of other priests murdered for fidelity to the ministry, may be seeds of peace and Christian life.”.
Immediately, the pope called on the entire Catholic community to pray for Father Tzotzil.
Why was Father Marcelo Pérez Pérez murdered?
The father Marcelo Pérez Pérez was murdered last Sunday, October 20, while leaving a mass in the Cuxtitali neighborhood, in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas.
Marcelo Pérez Pérez was known for his denunciations against the violence of organized crime in Chiapas.
In statements by the priest himself in a documentary about his life and work in 2022, he said he was aware of the risk to his life due to his repeated complaints against violence in his home state.
“I am very clear that at any moment something can happen to me. and I try to be willing and calm, with patience. When someone fights for peace they have to offer their lives,” said Father Marcelo.
The Chiapas priest he had already been threatened with death on several occasions, for his efforts to establish peace in conflicts between communities, as well as between mining companies and criminal groups.
They kill priest Marcelo Pérez Pérez when leaving to celebrate mass in San Cristóbal de las Casas (Especial)