Community Pillars
Javier Campos, 79, and Joaquín Mora, 80, were murdered inside the church together with the guide Pedro Eliodoro Palma.
“How many murders in Mexico!” Pope Francis -a Jesuit- exclaimed then, expressing his “pain and dismay” over the crime.
Cristina Domínguez, a volunteer who cleans the place, remembers the comforting presence of Campos, who was colloquially called “el gallo” for his perfect imitation of the bird’s song.
“I have a son who disappeared 12 years ago. When that happened, the little father came to my house, with his words of comfort he helped me a lot,” recalls Domínguez.
Three hours from Cerocahui, the Jesuits run a clinic for the Rarámuri community in Creel, a tourist town and stopover for the legendary “Chepe” train, which descends from the heights of Chihuahua to the Pacific coast.
“In addition, we have the human rights office that I have to preside over,” explains Father Javier Ávila in his office, whose wood-panelled walls are decorated with an impressive collection of hand-carved crucifixes.
Ávila regrets that the murderer is still free, despite the capture of several alleged members of his criminal gang. “For me he is not suspected, he is responsible,” adds the father who has had a security escort for some time.
He is referring to José Portillo, nicknamed “El Chueco”, in his 30s and linked, according to local media, to the Sinaloa cartel.
According to Father Jesús, the criminal shot the priests when he was chasing an enemy.
