An 83-year-old Roman Catholic priest who was reported kidnapped has been found dead in central Mexico, becoming the third cleric to die under suspicious circumstances in the country within a week. The body of the Rev Moises Fabila Reyes was identified by a relative, and prosecutors in Morelos state said he appeared to have died of a heart attack.
According to the Catholic Multimedia Center, Fabila Reyes was abducted on 3 April while on vacation in Cuernavaca, and family members paid a ransom of over $100,000. He reportedly became ill and died while being held. The Morelos state prosecutors' office confirmed that relatives had reported the abduction to federal anti-kidnapping authorities in Mexico City.
The recent deaths have sparked outrage among church leaders. The Catholic Multimedia Center described the situation as a 'Black April', noting that 25 priests have been killed in Mexico since President Enrique Peña Nieto took office in 2012. In separate incidents, a priest was shot dead on the outskirts of Guadalajara, and another was stabbed to death outside Mexico City.
In response, the country's Council of Bishops issued a statement calling for reflection on the loss of respect for life. Religion expert Bernardo Barranco said there was 'no specific motive' in the killings, but criticised the Mexican church for not establishing truth commissions as seen in other Latin American countries.
Bishop Salvador Rangel, whose diocese covers violent areas in Guerrero, defended his meetings with drug gang leaders to ensure safety. He stated, 'If they are pointing a gun at someone, and I manage to turn that gun to another direction, I am saving a life.'
