Mexico: Two priests murdered in one week

Fr Diaz - 'an excellent human being and very good pastor for our church'

Source: Fides/ Izcalli Diocese

The bishops of Mexico have launched an urgent appeal for a culture of peace and reconciliation after two Catholic priests were murdered in different dioceses in the same week.

Fr Rubén Alcántara Díaz, 50, judicial vicar of the diocese of Izcalli, in the municipality of Cuautitlán (Mexico), was stabbed to death on Wednesday evening, minutes before the 7pm Mass he was due to celebrate, in the church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen.

On Friday, 33-year old Father Juan Miguel Contrera Garcia was murdered by a group of armed assailants in his parish in the State of Jalisco. The attack reportedly took place immediately after he had celebrated Mass.

Four priests have been killed in Mexco since the beginning of the year.

Attacks on clergy have become common in Mexico, where the homicide rate reached historic high levels in 2017.

In their statement the bishops launch an urgent appeal to build a culture of peace and reconciliation.

"These deplorable events call each of us to a deep and sincere conversion" the statement said.

"We ask competent authorities - it continues - to shed light on this dramatic event and to take action according to the laws of justice."

The bishops also appeal to the perpetrators of violence "not only to lay down their arms", but also to reject "hatred, resentment, vengeance and all destructive sentiments".