A pastor was fatally shot following a service at his church in south-west Mexico on Sunday.
Alfrery Líctor Cruz Canseco was reportedly waiting in his car outside the Fraternidad Cristiana church following the service when he was shot. The shooter attempted to escape but was detained by congregation members and handed over to authorities. The pastor was reported to have died on the way to hospital.
Alfrery Líctor Cruz Canseco. PICTURE: CSW via Facebook
UK-based religious freedom advocacy CSW said earlier this week that while the motive for the murder is not yet known, it follows a series of attacks targeting religious leaders in Mexico.
Mervyn Thomas, CSW’s chief executive, urged the Mexican Government to “guarantee protection for civilian populations in areas under a strong influence of criminal groups, and develop strategies to support all religious leaders who are under threat”.
“The government must recognise the role that religious leaders play, not only as leaders of their churches, but also as voices for peace, justice and integrity, and human rights defenders, and afford them greater protection.”
The organisation also reported comments from Luis Herrera of the Coordination of Christian Organisations in Chiapas who, responding to the murder, said: “[It is] terrible what is happening, it seems to me that it is now very complicated to be able to guarantee security to the brothers who do something for the good of others”.
CSW has also expressed concerns for the well-being of Pastor Aarón Méndez Ruiz, director of a migrant shelter, who was kidnapped on 3rd August, reportedly after blocking an attempt by an organised criminal group to kidnap Cuban migrants.
“We…urge the Mexican government to spare no effort in ensuring his safe return, investigating all of these crimes and prosecuting those responsible,” Thomas said.
CSW said that Mexico has seen an increase in violence against religious leaders thanks to the expansion of violent criminal groups and what they call a “pervading climate of impunity”.
“Many criminal groups view church leaders, both Catholic and Protestant, and their influence, as a threat to their power. Religious leaders continue to be threatened, kidnapped and killed, and a lack of proper investigation means perpetrators are not brought to justice,” the organisation said in a statement.
Correction: CSW had initially reported that the pastor was shot while in the church pulpit. They report that it is now believed he was shot while waiting outside the church in his car.
