@SietedeChiapas
On September 7th, the Diocese of San Cristobal de Las Casas published a statement expressing its concern about the situation of violence that continues to exist in different communities where it is present. It mentioned in particular the case of Father Marcelo Perez Perez who, due to his work as a defender of the human rights of indigenous peoples, has been the victim of death threats, defamations and attacks.
Padre Marcelo, as he is known in Chiapas, is the parish priest of San Antonio de Padua, in Simojovel, and the Diocesan Responsible for Social Pastoral. The fact that “someone, person or group, attempts against him or against any Agent of Pastoral Animation and Coordination, is doing so against the Church of Jesus Christ and in particular against this Diocese”, Bishop Rodrigo Aguilar Martinez said in his letter.
“We testify that Father Marcelo, in both services, has conducted himself with care in being faithful to Jesus Christ and his Gospel, being in communion with the spirit of our Diocese and committed so that all this is fully lived in individuals, families and communities”, said the Diocese.
Last July, the Fray Bartolome de Las Casas Center for Human Rights (Frayba) and the Swedish Movement for Reconciliation (SweFOR Mexico) reported that at the end of this year, “the attacks on Father Marcelo have intensified” and although he has precautionary measures, they are “not enough for him to continue his defense activity in a safe environment.”
The Believing People of the Parish of San Antonio de Padua also denied the accusations against their parish priest for the conflict that broke out in Pantelho where he wanted to link him to the creation of the self-defense group “El Machete”. For this reason, he demanded that the authorities of the Mexican State “guarantee the safety of the peoples.”
For more information in Spanish:
Comunicado de la Diócesis de SCLC (Diócesis De San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, 7 de septiembre de 2021)
Padre Marcelo en riesgo por incremento de amenazas (Chiapas Paralelo, 20 de julio de 2021)
Pueblo Creyente de Simojovel denuncia creciente violencia en Chiapas (CDH Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, 1 de septiembre de 2021)
Crimen organizado planeó asesinar al padre Marcelo: Pueblo creyente (Chiapas Paralelo, 1 de septiembre de 2021)
Preocupa a diócesis de SCLC, amenazas de muerte contra el Padre Marcelo Pérez (El Heraldo de Chiapas, 7 de septiembre de 2021)
Alertan de amenazas contra padre Marcelo Pérez, párroco de Simojovel(CentroProdh, 31 de julio de 2021)
For more information from SIPAZ:
Chiapas: Frayba and SweFOR Statement – Concern over Safety of Father Marcelo Perez, Simojovel Parish Priest and HR Defender (July 22, 2021)
Chiapas: Displaced Members of Las Abejas Return to Pantelho (Augsut 31, 2021)
Chiapas: Indigenous Justice Prosecutor Murdered in Chiapas – Linked to Pantelho (Augsut 12, 2021)
Chiapas: Frayba Denounces Threats and Harassment of Simojovel Parish Priest Marcelo Perez Perez (April 20, 2020)
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