In a distressing revelation, the Catholic Multimedia Center (CCM) announced that 80 Catholic priests have been murdered in Mexico since 1990.

This alarming statistic underscores the widespread violence clergy members face in the country, Catholic News Agency reported.

On December 9, the CCM, under the direction of Father Omar Sotelo Aguilar, unveiled a comprehensive report at a press conference. The documentation thoroughly records attacks against church officials, suggesting a deep-seated issue within the nation.

The report sheds light on the significant increase in crimes against religious figures coinciding with former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's term from 2018 to 2024, marking the highest number of homicides in modern Mexican history.

Controversial Anti-Crime Strategy And Its Impact

López Obrador's administration was notable for its “hugs, not bullets” approach, which emphasized social programs over hardline law enforcement tactics against drug cartels. This policy is mentioned in the report as creating a "power vacuum" that diminished law enforcement effectiveness and escalated violence levels.

The breakdown in order helped escalate the Church's role in societal issues, as clergy members often stepped into mediate community conflicts. This increased their risk of becoming targets, as the violence endemic to these disputes often spilled over onto them.

The report connects this policy to the rising number of assaults on church figures and properties during López Obrador’s presidency, including the murder of 10 priests and numerous attacks on churches.

Tragic Tales Of Clergy Victims

Several poignant cases are outlined in the report. Among them fatalities such as Father Ícmar Arturo Orta Llamas in 2018, Father José Martín Guzmán Vega in 2019, and three priests in 2021 including Father Juan Antonio Orozco Alvarado. Additionally, the last year reported 2022, saw the murders of Father José Guadalupe Rivas and several others.

In 2023, the violence persisted with the deaths of Father José Angulo Fonseca and Father Javier García Villafaña, emphasizing the ongoing threat to the clergy. The report also discusses at least six documented attacks on bishops, including a notable incident in 2023 when an 80-year-old man attacked Archbishop of Durango Faustino Armendáriz Jiménez.

The state of sanctity was not limited to personal attacks, as weekly crimes against sacred sites were particularly pronounced, with a notable 42% of attacks attributed to specialists in sacred art theft.

A Rise In Extortion And Unreported Frauds

The challenges for the church extend beyond physical violence. The CCM report alerts to a significant climb in extortion and fraud against churches, with a concerning proportion of these crimes left unreported. This climate of fear and intimidation significantly hampers the Church's functioning and poses a stark challenge to religious freedom in Mexico.

CCM's documentation presents a grim outlook on the safety of religious figures in Mexico, attributing this to not only a failure in security policies but also to potential corruption and a lack of accountability within the state apparatus.

Father Omar Sotelo Aguilar, in his statements, emphasized the breadth of the violence problem, which he described as reaching "worrying levels" and striking all societal sectors. He expressed a grave concern over the state's inability or unwillingness to protect its citizens, including those in religious orders.

Reflections On Hope And Accountability

Sotelo’s critique extends to expressing hope that the incoming administration will acknowledge and address these pressing issues, learning from the past administration’s shortcomings. “That’s not what we want; I hope we’re wrong. Believe me, we would like to be wrong about this situation,” he commented on the ongoing violence across the nation.

As reported instances of violence seem to rise, there's an echoing desire among community and religious leaders for a safer environment. The report by CCM acts not only as a register of grief but also as a call to action for both the government and community to safeguard those who serve on spiritual frontlines.

The relentless violence against priests in Mexico paints a stark picture of the challenges facing the Catholic Church and highlights the urgent need for strategic changes in public safety and community relations.