The Archdiocese of Tuxtla Gutiérrez, in the Mexican state of Chiapas, informed that a group of men entered the parish house where the priests live, and there they threatened and assaulted one of them on the afternoon of July 29.
In a statement issued one day after the aggressionthe Archdiocese indicated that “unknown people two times entered the enclosure and, in the second, they found in the place one of the priests, whom they threatened while violating the spaces and subtracted objects of value, including the resources that were destined to the construction of the house.”
Receive the main news of ACI Press by WhatsApp and Telegram
It is increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social networks. Subscribe to our free channels today:
The affected parish was that of San Juan Bautista, in the municipality of Ocozocoautla de Espinosa. Although no fatal victims were reported, the Catholic Church lamented “deeply the grievance of a community that, with love and effort, has contributed generously to this work that seeks to serve the common good.”
Likewise, the Archdiocese said that this “has not been an isolated event”, but that “it adds to many unfortunate acts of violence and insecurity that affect our society.”
“It unites us to the pain of so many families who, day by day, live similar situations and remind us of the urgent need to continue building together peace paths,” he added.
Violence in Chiapas
It is not the first time that in Chiapas violence has reached the Catholic Church. In January 2024, a priest was injured by a shot in front of his parish. In May, the massacre of 11 people was denounced, including two catechists, who refused to collaborate with criminal groups. In October, the popular case of Fr. Marcelo Pérez, killed after celebrating the Mass was recorded.
However, the impact of violence is not limited to clergy. Since 2023, the Diocese of the State have constantly denounced the deterioration of security in the State, caused by the territorial dispute between organized crime groups, especially in mountainous and border areas with Guatemala.
In response, thousands of faithful, priests and bishops demonstrated in September 2024 in different regions with a clear message to the authorities: “They stop this death system!”
A town that “longs to live with dignity and peace”
In his message, the Archdiocese stressed that “as a church, we feel called to raise our voice, not from confrontation, but from the sincere desire to live in a more just and safe society for all.”
Therefore, he called on the authorities to reinforce security conditions in the communities, because “it is not only for us, but for all the people who long to live with dignity and peace.”
Finally, he asked for the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe and San Marcos Evangelista, patron of the Archdiocese, “to protect our families and help us remain united in the face of adversity.”
Diego López Colín
I am a graduate of journalism at the Carlos Septién García school with experience of religious institutional communication. Since 2016 I write for digital media and, since 2018, I report the most important news about the Catholic event in Mexico for the Ewtn news channel. ACI Press correspondent in Mexico since 2023.