Originally published at National Catholic Register
Pope Francis asked the faithful to continue praying for peace in the world and urged ‘respect for human life, which is sacred.’
In his Angelus address on Sunday, Pope Francis remembered Father Marcelo Pérez, a priest recently murdered in the violence-stricken region of Chiapas, Mexico.
The Pope called the slain priest “a zealous servant of the Gospel and God’s faithful people” and said he joined the local Diocese of San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico, in mourning his loss.
“May his sacrifice, like that of other priests killed for fidelity to the ministry, be a seed of peace and Christian life,” Francis said.
Father Pérez was shot and killed on Oct. 20 after celebrating Mass. Described by his diocese as a “tireless apostle of peace,” Father Pérez’s murder came amid his ongoing efforts to defend local communities from violence and injustice.
His work had drawn serious threats; the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) had issued precautionary measures for Father Pérez’s protection since 2015 due to “the constant risk to his life and personal
