“More than 2,000 years later, the persecution of those who, like Jesus and his first followers, fight for truth and justice, not only continues but is intensifying in many parts of the world. The Christian community faces acts of violence just for expressing their faith, and they are seen as uncomfortable for their fight for a better world. “This was the case of Father Marcelo Pérez in Chiapas, a symbol of courage and commitment to justice,” he said.
He also remembered the Jesuits Joaquín César Mora Salazar and Javier Campos Morales, who were shot to death by armed men more than two years ago in a church in the indigenous community of Cerocahui, Chihuahua.
“How many more must fall before governments and society react? “How many more will be left on the road to defend justice?” asked the Archdiocese.
He also pointed out that it is unprecedented that while violence “cuts lives” like that of Father Marcelo Pérez, legislators “intend to dictate laws of death and violence against pregnant women.”
Also, the Catholic Church mentioned that they join the Conference of the Mexican Episcopate to demand that effective measures be taken to protect those who risk their lives for peace and justice.
“His (Father Marcelo Pérez) death, like that of so many others, is a painful reminder that the Gospel, when lived in its entirety, continues to make those who reject peace and truth uncomfortable. We do not want even one more death due to violence. “We want a joint fight for peace and justice,” he said.
Pope Francis regrets murder
Pope Francis regretted the murder of Father Marcelo Pérez, who on constant occasions denounced the violence of organized crime in Chiapas.
“To the beloved Church of San Cristóbal de las Casas, in the Mexican state of Chiapas, which mourns the priest Marcelo Pérez Pérez, murdered last Sunday. A fervent servant of the Gospel and of the faithful people of God, may his sacrifice, like that of other priests murdered for fidelity to the ministry, be seeds of peace and Christian life,” he mentioned.
During the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, the pontiff remembered the priest as a “fervent servant of the Gospel and of God’s faithful people.”
On October 20, in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Father Marcelo Pérez was murdered; after he left the Cuxtitali Church heading to his vehicle, when a person surrounded the truck and shot him with a firearm.
Days later, the Attorney General’s Office of the State of Chiapas announced the arrest of Édgar “N”, “Scrapy”, who is allegedly the material author of the crime.
