17th October, 2014
Attacks on Roman Catholic priests in Mexico have increase by 80 per cent over the past two years, according to a report from the Mexican Catholic Multimedia Centre.
According to the report – released shortly after the kidnap and murder of Father Jose Ascension Acufia in Guerrero state in late September, six priests have been killed and three others the subject of forced disappearances since President Enrique Pena Nieto came to power two years ago.
UK-based persecuted church advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide says the Vatican now reports Mexico is the country where the most attacks are occurring on Roman Catholic religious leaders. CSW said the situation is similar for Protestant church leaders.
Mervyn Thomas, chief executive of CSW, said the increasing attacks on religious leaders in Mexico made it "one of the most dangerous places in the world for church leaders".
"We urge the Mexican government to implement effective strategies to provide security to civilian populations in areas with a strong influence of criminal groups, and to develop strategies to support civil society actors like churches and religious leaders as they come under threat."
Mr Thomas also called for the international community to engage with the Mexican government on the issues "and to recognise the role that many religious leaders play, not only as leaders of their churches, but also as voices for peace, justice and integrity as human rights defenders".
CSW has also called for a full investigation into the murder of Fr Ascension Acufia and the prosecution of those responsible.
According to CSW, reasons for the attacks on religious figures by criminal groups vary with some attacks coming after public denunciations of corruption and criminal activities while others have been attacked because of their work with alcohol or drug addicts, victims of human trafficking or former members of criminal groups trying to reintegrate into society has impacted their interests.
Churches are also viewed as attractive targets for extortion or money laundering and religious leaders who refuse to cooperate "frequently come under threat", said CSW. Some criminal groups have also sought to impose their own religious beliefs on areas under their control – at least one Catholic priest is believed to have been murdered for refusing to hold a mass dedicated to Santa Muerta (St Death) in a Catholic church.
– DAVID ADAMS
