AMERICA/EL SALVADOR - "Violence has reached the altar": Bishops ask for investigations into the murder of two priests

Wednesday, 5 June 2019 martyrs   bishops   social situation   violence  

San Salvador (Agenzia Fides) - "We reject violence in all its expressions, which our people suffer, to the point that it has reached the altar. What else will happen?" This is what the Bishops of El Salvador are asking, in a pronouncement of the Bishops' Conference entitled" Christ is our peace" (Eph 2:14), in which they condemn the murder of Father Cecilio Perez Cruz, which occurred on May 17 (see Fides, 20/05/2019), and that of Father Walter Osmin Vásquez, killed a year ago (see Fides, 04/04/2018), asking the authorities to clarify the causes of the murders and to bring to justice those responsible for these and all other acts of violence perpetrated in the country.
"We firmly condemn the assassination of Father Cecilio Perez Cruz, on the night of Friday 17 May in the rectory of San José parish in La Majada of the diocese of Sonsonate - is what is written in the pronouncement, sent to Agenzia Fides -. We recognize the fruitful pastoral work of Father Cecilio and in particular his courageous defense of the environment as a common home. A year ago Father Walter Osmin Vásquez was killed while he was going to celebrate Mass in Las Lajas community of the parish of Lolotique, in the diocese of Santiago de Maria".
In the text, the Bishops' Conference of El Salvador asks with extreme firmness, once again, "the judicial and police authorities, the prompt clarification of both crimes, and that due justice is guaranteed, both in these cases as in all cases of violence recorded in our country". "In the midst of so much pain that paralyzes us - continues the text - we are comforted by solidarity, esteem and closeness of all the people of God in these moments of suffering and at the same time of hope". Finally, the Bishops ask all the people of God to "persevere in prayer for peace and in the effort to build it, in an attitude of authentic faith and hope" invoking God's blessing. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 5/6/2019 )


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