Mexico: Priest killed in shootout between drug gangs

Father Juanito - image Fides

Source: Fides

Franciscan Father Juan Antonio Orozco Alvarado, aged 33, was killed on Saturday, along with other people, in a clash between between armed drug gangs. The Provincial Minister of the Franciscan Province of Saints Francisco and Santiago in Mexico, Father Angel Gabino Gutiérrez Martinez, OFM released the news on Sunday 13 June, the feast of St Anthony of Padua.

The Catholic community of Guadalajara report that Fr Juan was on his way to celebrate Mass in the community of Tepehuana de Pajaritos when he was shot. Some armed members of the Jalisco Nueva Generación cartel and the Sinaloa cartel began to attack each other, the priest and the small group of faithful of the community who had welcomed him and were going to church with him, were caught in the crossfire.

Father Juan Antonio Orozco Alvarado was a parish priest in Santa Lucía de la Sierra, in the municipality of Valparaíso in the state of Zacatecas, Jalisco.

"Father Juanito", as he was known, had just begun his pastoral work in the area six months ago.

In a statement the Mexican Episcopal Conference (CEM) said they hope that Our Lady of Guadalupe "will console our pain with the heart of her mother and restore justice and peace in our society". The CEM said Fr Juan - originally from Monclova - was "a victim of the violence that exists in our country."