Fr. Marcelo Pérez Pérez, parish priest of the Cuxtitali parish in San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Mexico, was killed after celebrating Mass on October 20. Fr. Marcelo was a member of an indigenous tribe in Mexio, and he always stood for the rights of the indigenous Tzotzil community. He was also a fierce advocate of peace and spoke out against violence in his country.

Sister María de los Dolores Palencia Gómez, a Mexican nun from the Congregation of Sisters of Saint Joseph and Delegate President of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod, talked about the death of Fr. Marcelo and the situation in their country. Fr. Marcelo was from the Chiapas region, a southern Mexican state, bordering Guatemala. In all of  Mexico, but in Chiapas, especially, violent crimes are on the rise. In many cases, the violence is connected to drug cartel rivalry, forced migration, human trafficking, and division among communities.

Sr. María recalled Fr. Marcelo as a warrior of peace who sought the well-being of the poorest communities and was an advocate of solving issues through dialogue. She said that his  death is a sign that certain people are trying to create division in communities and generate more instability. She said: 

“We need to shout and make the world understand and hear, that there are a series of situations that go against humanity and also against creation.”

Fr. Marcelo was the latest victim of unreasonable violence in Mexico, where around 500 people were assassinated during the first eight months of this year alone. The Synodal Assembly offered prayers for the late Fr. Marcelo Perez.

Source: Vatican News