Mexico: Attacks on Catholic Priests up 80% in two years

indcatholicnews.com reported attacks on Roman Catholic priests in Mexico have increased by 80% over the past two years, according to a new report released by the Mexican Catholic Multimedia Centre (CCM).

CCM reports that six priests have been killed and three others have been the victims of forced disappearances since President Enrique Pena Nieto came into power two years ago. The CCM Investigative Unit called on the Mexican government “to provide security in areas with a significant presence of organized crime.”

The report was released shortly after the kidnap and murder of Father José Ascensión Acuña in the State of Guerrero in late September. Parishioners in Acelias, in the state of Guerrero, expressed concern when Father Ascensión Acuña disappeared on 21 September and failed to reappear to hold Mass. His body was found in the Balsas River near Santa Cruz de Las Tinajas, in the municipality of San Miguel Totolapan, following an anonymous tip.

According to the Vatican, Mexico is now the country with the most attacks on Roman Catholic religious leaders in the world. Christian Solidarity Worldwide’s (CSW’s) investigations revealed that the situation is similar for Protestant church leaders. Read Article