(OSV News) — A Mexican priest was murdered on the eve of Independence Day celebrations, reinforcing the country’s reputation as the most lethal in the world for Catholic clergy. 

In a Sept. 16 statement, the Diocese of Huejutla confirmed the death a day earlier of Father Román de la Cruz Hernández, pastor at Santa Cruz Parish in the municipality of Huejutla de Reyes, roughly 180 miles northeast of Mexico City in Hidalgo state. 

The diocese preferred not to speculate on the details of Father de la Cruz’s death, which came two days after a march for peace was convened in another part of Mexico to call for an end to violence in the country. 

News outlet N+ reported Father de la Cruz’s body being found Sept. 15 along a rural roadway; he had been shot multiple times. N+ reported the attack on Father de la Cruz occurred at the same time as Mexicans traditionally celebrate the country’s independence from Spanish rule.

‘Alarming situation of violence in our country’

“In light of the alarming situation of violence in our country, we urgently call upon the competent authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to clarify the incident that took place in our diocese, to ensure justice is served, and to prevent this event — as well as other crimes that have wounded our nation — from going unpunished,” read the statement, signed by Bishop José Hiraís Acosta Beltrán.

The Mexican bishops’ conference added in a Sept. 16 statement, “We call upon the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to clarify these events and ensure that justice is served expeditiously.”

Four priests have been killed since President Claudia Sheinbaum took office on Oct. 1, 2024, according to the Catholic Multimedia Center, which tracks violence against the Church in Mexico. The newspaper El Sol de Hidalgo reported in August that priests in the Diocese of Huejutla had their mobile phones hacked and calls from their numbers were being made to request donations and extort Catholics.

Violence has consumed parts of Mexico since late 2006 after then-President Felipe Calderón launched a crackdown on drug cartels — which have clashed with the authorities and battled over crime territories. More than 460,000 homicides have been recorded over the past 20 years, while at least 134,000 Mexicans remain missing, according to a government registry.

Sheinbaum has ‘boasted’ of 51% drop in homicides

Sheinbaum recently boasted of a 51% drop in homicides during her first 22 months in office as her administration — under pressure from the Trump administration — reversed a previous government policy christened “hugs, not bullets.”

Catholic leaders have raised their voices in recent years, urging the government to prioritize calming the country, restoring the social fabric and attending to the victims of violence.

Churches in Mexico City, for example, have installed drop boxes, which can receive anonymous tips and information on missing persons. Church leaders have also supported the groups of families who have formed search parties to find their missing kin — often in the face of government inaction and indifference.

“There example resonates with particular force here in Mexico, where so many mothers continue to search for their missing children with steadfastness and faith; nothing can stop them from doing everything possible to help their children,” Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, said in an Aug. 5 homily at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. “We can all support them with our prayers so that, just like the woman in today’s Gospel, their perseverance and faith may be rewarded.”

March for peace, prayers for calm to prevail

Bishop Jesús José Herrera Quiñónez of Culiacán — capital of western Sinaloa state, where a two-year battle has been raging between rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel — convened a march for peace on Sept. 13, where he celebrated Mass outside of the cathedral and prayed for calm to prevail.

“Culiacán cannot get used to the pain, nor allow fear to rob us of hope,” Bishop Herrera said in his homily. “Stop. Look at what is happening. Look at the wounded families. Look at the young people. Look at our city,” he said, addressing the drug cartel combatants. “No power, no money, no territory and no ambition is worth more than human life. It is still possible to change course. It is still possible to choose life.”

David Agren writes for OSV News from Buenos Aires, Argentina.