Faith Under Fire: The Rising Cost of Ministry in Mexico Amid Violence and Impunity

The calling to serve in ministry has always demanded courage, but for Roman Catholic priests and religious leaders in Mexico, it is now a matter of life and death. A harrowing new report by the Catholic Multimedia Centre (CCM) reveals that ten priests and one seminary student were brutally murdered during the six-year term of former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Adding to this grim tally, another priest has already lost his life under the new presidency of Claudia Sheinbaum, elected in October.

The murder of Father Marcelo Pérez Pérez, who was fatally shot on October 20 after officiating Mass in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas State, exemplifies the peril faced by those who dare to minister in regions plagued by organized crime. CCM authors Guillermo Gazanini Espinoza and Father Sergio Omar Sotelo Aguilar noted that Fr. Pérez’s murder was not random, describing it as “a cunning act meant to silence his pastoral actions and advocacy for human rights.”

A Church Under Siege

The report also highlights the staggering scope of violence targeting the Church, documenting seven violent attacks on bishops, seven assaults on priests, and nearly 900 cases of extortion or threats against ministry workers. In addition, 26 attacks on religious buildings occurred during López Obrador’s presidency, painting a chilling picture of faith under fire in a culture of impunity.

Religious leaders serving in marginalized areas and advocating for peace and human rights are often in the crosshairs of criminal groups. “His assassination was not collateral damage,” the report states, pointing to organized crime’s ruthless determination to silence voices of hope and justice.

Pablo Vargas, National Director of Impulso18, called on President Sheinbaum to address this escalating crisis. “We urge the government to combat the culture of impunity and implement effective mechanisms to protect human rights defenders, including religious leaders, who are under threat,” he said.

Faith Amid Fear

Despite the dangers, the Church in Mexico continues to stand resolute. The CCM’s Director of Advocacy, Anna Lee Stangl, underscored the gravity of the situation, noting that attacks on priests and religious leaders have spiked over the past three administrations with no improvement in sight.

“Religious leaders are often identified by organized criminal groups as problems to be silenced or eliminated altogether,” Stangl said. Yet their unwavering commitment to serving the marginalized remains a testament to faith and resilience.

The Way Forward: Hope Against the Darkness

This alarming trend calls for urgent action, not just from the Mexican government but from the global faith community. Prayer and advocacy are vital as faith leaders courageously pursue their mission in the face of unprecedented hostility.

The CCM’s findings remind us of Christ’s words in John 16:33: “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

As believers, we are called to stand in solidarity with these modern-day martyrs, lifting them up in prayer and advocating for justice on their behalf. Their sacrifice is a sobering reminder that the cost of discipleship often mirrors the path of Christ Himself—a way of suffering, but also of hope, redemption, and ultimate victory.

May their lives inspire us to shine as beacons of peace and justice, even in the darkest of times.