Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Zamora (Agenzia Fides) - The Mexican diocese of Zamora sent to Fides Agency an appeal to pray for Father Santiago, of whom we know nothing. Father Santiago Alvarez Figueroa, 27 years old, on 27 December went to celebrate a Mass in Jacona, near Jiquilpan. After the celebration he had phoned home to warn his parents that he would join them immediately, but he never arrived. The police patrolled the route the priest did by car, discarding the possibility of an accident.
The statement of the diocese says: "The competent authorities have been carrying out their research since December 29, the date on which the complaint was filed to the Prosecutor of Zamora, but so far nothing is known. So many families, like father Santiago’s, have suffered similar situations, have experienced much pain and many tears have been shed without satisfactory answers! Those who are responsible for father Santiago’s disappearance we ask: for God's sake, to return a healthy son back to his mother, a brother to his brothers, a priest of the community, a friend to the young!"
Father Santiago, a priest of the Diocese of Zamora, was ordained a priest on 16 December 2011. He is one of the three priests who are dedicated to the promotion of priestly vocations in families and in areas frequented by children and teenagers. Zamora, Michoacán is in an area very much involved in the conflict between the "cartels" in Mexico. Jacona is a village on the border between Michoacán and Jalisco, where the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) contends power with Los Caballeros Templarios. This conflict has caused the death of many people involved in gangs, but also of many innocent people, as well as hundreds of "disappearances" which not even the police are able to define the number. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 11/01/2013)
