Mexican Catholic priests are among the most persecuted in the world, with attacks having increased by 80 per cent over the past two years, a new report has found.
Released by the Mexican Catholic Multimedia Centre (CCM), the report confirms that six priests have been murdered and three others the victim of forced disappearances since President Enrique Pena Nieto was elected in July 2012.
The Mexican government has been accused of being “unwilling” to protect the religious freedom of its people. CCM is urging authorities to “provide security in areas with a significant presence of organised crime.”
Priests are often targeted as a result of denouncing criminal groups, or because they are working to help people exploited by violent gangs, such as victims of human trafficking or drug addicts. Churches are also seen as an attractive target for extortion and front for money laundering.
The report comes in the wake of Father José Ascensión Acuña’s murder last month. His body was found in the Balsas River near Santa Cruz de Las Tinajas after he disappeared on September 21.
Over 80 per cent of the Mexican population are Catholic. President Nieto met with Pope Francis at his inaugural Mass, and later travelled to the Vatican for an official meeting with the Pontiff last July. The Mexican constitution also guarantees freedom of religion or belief to all its citizen… Read More
Source and Original Content by Christian Today