Ávila, parish priest of Creel, exclaimed: “Hugs are no longer enough to cover the bullets,” which elicited applause and signs of support. The father had to take a few seconds to compose himself because he was overcome with emotion.
His words shocked the parishioners who gathered to say goodbye to the parents “El Gallo” and “Morita” who had great recognition in the communities of the Sierra Tarahumara for their high sense of service.
“For both priests, the fight is over. We continue forward,” said Father Ávila, commenting that the deaths of the priests made known to the country and the entire world the situation that the Tarahumara are experiencing.
The priest, who like “El Gallo” and “Morita” is also widely recognized in the region, expressed that death for those who do not believe in Jesus is tragedy and for the Jesuits it is pain, but it is also a great joy to know that “they gave following Jesus of Nazareth”.
“The acceptance of these facts is not resignation, it is the serenity of life that encompasses us every day. They left without asking permission and with their backpack full of stories and loves,” he added, recalling that in the country there are thousands of dead and disappeared that keep the pain and sadness alive in thousands of families.
In this sense, he thanked the presence of a group of families looking for their children present at the mass.
“The systems are betting on oblivion, we are betting on memory,” he noted, lamenting the “shameful impunity that surrounds the entire country. We Jesuits will not abandon the mission, much less service to the people!” he exclaimed.
#In Photos l The Rarámuri community says goodbye to Jesuit priests
Priests cover the coffins of Jesuit priests Javier Campos and Joaquín Mora with white cloth.
Priests covered the coffins with white blankets and attended the mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Chihuahua, Constancio Miranda Weckmann; the Provincial of the Society of Jesus in Mexico, Luis Gerardo Moro Madrid and Father Javier “El Pato” Ávila.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters
A woman says goodbye with her tears to the priest Javier Campos.
A parishioner collapsed on the coffin of priest Javier Campos.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters
Father Javier “El Pato” Ávila broke down when issuing his message at the farewell mass for the Jesuit priests murdered in Cerocahui, Chihuahua.
Father Javier “El Pato” Ávila demanded from the pulpit to review the security strategy of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters
Hugs in the community preceded the mass in honor of the murdered Jesuit fathers.
A priest hugs a person before the start of the mass in honor of Jesuit priests Javier Campos and Joaquín Mora.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters
Parishioners upload a photo of the priest Javier Campos.
After the mass, residents carried a portrait of the Jesuit priest Javier Campos, murdered in the town of Cerocahui.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters
Before the mass in honor of fathers Javier Campos and Joaquín Mora.
Before beginning the mass in honor of the Jesuit priests Javier Campos and Joaquín Mora, assassinated in the town of Cerocahui, the faithful began a prayer in the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús church in Chihuahua.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters
And lamenting that the country is “invaded by violence and impunity”, he echoed the words of Pope Francis who, after the death of both priests, highlighted: “How many murders in Mexico!”
“Our tone is peaceful, but loud and clear: inviting government actions to finally put an end to the prevailing impunity in our society. There are thousands, thousands of voiceless mourners crying out for justice in our nation. The hugs are no longer enough to cover the bullets, “said the prelate.
