Three years after the killings of Jesuit priests in a village in northern Mexico, a bishop urged citizens to disarm and reject hate speech during a Mass in the capital. The prelate emphasized ending political hostility and supporting families seeking justice. The event included a documentary screening and bell ringing coordinated by the national Episcopal Conference. The murders sparked a National Dialogue for Peace, aiming to foster unity and address violence across the country.
The Vatican has released a 45-minute documentary titled 'Leo of Peru' focusing on the missionary years of Robert Francis Prevost in the country. The film features testimony from Sylvia Vázquez, a trafficking survivor from Chiclayo, who credits Prevost and the Adoratrices nuns for helping her escape prostitution. According to the outlet, Prevost collaborated with local commissions to provide vocational training and spiritual support to vulnerable women. The documentary, produced by Vatican media, aims to showcase his efforts to rescue victims and restore their dignity through practical assistance and pastoral care.
A priest wrote an open letter to the governor and president regarding ongoing violence in a diocese in northern Mexico. He described recent shootings that disrupted community life and criticized authorities for minimizing the incidents. The priest called for effective security measures to protect residents from organized crime. He also appealed to armed groups to lay down their weapons, emphasizing the suffering caused to families and children. He highlighted the fear and uncertainty affecting the local population, urging coordinated action to guarantee peace and safety in the region.
A priest in Mexico has gained nearly two million followers on TikTok by sharing spiritual messages adapted to digital culture. Starting during the pandemic, he uses platforms like Instagram and TikTok to connect with adolescents and young adults, blending faith with Mexican cultural elements. This trend of 'digital missionaries' reflects a shift in evangelization strategies, leveraging high internet usage rates in Mexico to spread religious content. The article highlights how clergy are adapting to online spaces to maintain relevance and reach younger generations effectively.
A cardinal in Mexico performed the traditional foot-washing ritual during Holy Thursday Mass at a major cathedral in the capital. The ceremony honored twelve individuals representing vulnerable groups: families of suicide victims, mothers searching for missing relatives, and Venezuelan migrants. According to the outlet, the act aimed to highlight the Church's pastoral closeness and offer comfort to those experiencing profound suffering. Participants, including relatives of those who died by suicide and families seeking justice for the disappeared, described the gesture as a source of peace and spiritual support. The event sought to raise awareness about mental health stigma and the plight of migrants in Mexico.
The Mexican Episcopal Conference announced nationwide commemorations marking the third anniversary of the murders of Jesuit priests and a tourist guide. The bishops stated that this tragedy sparked the National Dialogue for Peace. The Church will ring bells, pray for victims, and read a peace statement in parishes across Mexico. The announcement also honors other victims of violence, including other priests, while urging society to continue building justice and security. The statement was signed by CEM leadership and Jesuit representatives.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
The Catholic Church in Mexico emphasizes community and moral commitment as essential for building peace. The Mexican Episcopal Conference launched a plan to restore social fabric and encourage civic participation. Bishops have accompanied victims in various states. In one region, a bishop called for peace and recognized local progress. Programs allowing voluntary weapon surrender in parishes support the national security strategy, which reports a significant drop in intentional homicides. Reductions were notable in specific areas. Despite these gains, tragedies in other regions highlight ongoing challenges.
Mexican church leaders strongly condemned the killing of two religious sisters in a Haitian city. The victims, along with two lay collaborators, were murdered by armed groups. Bishops called for international support to help pacify the region, which suffers from severe criminal violence. The sisters were known for their evangelization and aid work. The statement expressed solidarity with the local Catholic Church and urged prayers for an end to the violence. This attack occurred during a broader assault by a gang coalition on the area, highlighting the dangerous environment for believers.
Three nuns from a religious congregation in Mexico participated in an archdiocesan race to raise awareness for their shelter. The sisters trained to highlight their home, which supports single mothers and children. According to the outlet, the nuns operate a daily bazaar to fund care for vulnerable women. They stated that physical exercise complements their spiritual life and helps them seek strength for their apostolate. The race highlighted the active role of religious life in serving the community in Mexico.
The second International Family Congress held in a city in Mexico highlighted Carlo Acutis as a central figure for youth attendees. Antonia Salzano Acutis, the saint’s mother, delivered a message via video link. The event, attended by thousands, included a first-class relic of Acutis for veneration. Organizers noted the congress addressed youth struggles like depression and identity issues. The announcement of Acutis’s canonization was celebrated, alongside a miracle attributed to him involving a girl from a Central American country. Acutis, known for using the internet to spread faith, died at age 15.
Two nuns from Ponta Grossa, Brazil, Marizele Cassiano and Marisa de Paula de Neves, became viral after performing beatbox and dance during a Catholic TV program. The sisters, members of the Copiosa Redemption congregation, appeared on the show 'Familia del amor' on the 'Pai Eterno' channel. They stated that their spontaneous musical routine serves as a tool to inspire vocations and combat drug addiction. According to Sister Marizele, music helps reach people's hearts. The video spread rapidly on social media, highlighting their unique approach to evangelization and community outreach in Brazil.
A parish priest in a town in Chihuahua, Mexico, has written to President Claudia Sheinbaum and Governor María Eugenia Campos Galván demanding action against violence in the Sierra Tarahumara region. Following a recent shootout, the priest highlighted the constant danger faced by residents and clergy due to conflicts between criminal groups. He cited previous attacks, including damage to a church in 2023 and the murder of Jesuit priests in 2022. The priest urges authorities to coordinate across political lines and provide a permanent security presence to protect the community and rebuild social fabric.
Armed men attacked a sports court in a village in Guanajuato, killing eight young members of a local diocese’s youth pastoral group. The assault injured nine others, including a child, and damaged nearby homes and a church facade. Church authorities condemned the violence and demanded justice. The national bishops’ conference described the crime as a reflection of widespread insecurity and impunity, urging citizens to participate in peace dialogues. This incident underscores persistent violence despite security measures, prompting calls for social restructuring and values education to address the crisis.
On March 24, 1980, Archbishop Oscar Romero was shot and killed while celebrating Mass at the Divine Providence Hospital chapel in San Salvador, El Salvador. The attack occurred during a homily where he denounced human rights abuses. Investigations and testimonies identify former major Roberto D'Aubuisson as the mastermind behind the plot, with Marino Samayaa acting as the sniper. The killing intensified the country's civil conflict. Although Romero was later canonized, legal efforts continue to hold state accomplices accountable for the crime.
A national peace dialogue led by the Mexican Episcopal Conference urges Catholic groups and schools to take four steps to promote peace. This initiative responds to the recent killing of eight young people in a central region. Proposed actions include placing candles in churches, carrying roses, praying during Lent, and collaborating with state teams. The organization urges authorities to investigate the murders and asks citizens to assume responsibility for building peace amid rising violence affecting youth.
In Mexico, groups known as 'searching mothers' have evolved into 'searching families,' uniting through shared grief to locate missing relatives. Members describe their collective efforts to dig through landfills and clandestine graves in various states. According to the National Search Commission, over 123,000 people remain missing as of March 2025. Bishop Francisco Javier Acero and religious leaders emphasize that these groups demonstrate profound solidarity, offering hope and strength to a society affected by organized crime and indifference. The families say their bond transforms personal loss into a broader mission for justice and remembrance.
Eight young members of a parish in a city in Guanajuato state, Mexico, were killed in an armed attack. The diocese’s youth pastoral reported the incident occurred Sunday night when gunmen opened fire indiscriminately at a multi-use court near the church. Initial reports cited seven deaths, but a ninth victim died in the hospital, raising the total to eight. Authorities found over 50 shell casings at the scene. The diocese has organized a peace caravan and funeral masses, expressing deep sorrow and demanding justice amid rising organized crime violence in the region.
Mexican church leaders expressed outrage after authorities discovered a CJNG training and extermination site in a village in Jalisco. The bishops criticized government inaction regarding disappearances and highlighted rising abduction rates. They praised the mothers searching for victims and demanded transparent investigations and stronger prevention policies. The Church pledged to support victims and rebuild social fabric amid this humanitarian crisis, calling for urgent state response to protect citizens from cartel violence.
The World Volunteering Jubilee occurred in early March, aligning with the start of Lent. The article emphasizes how volunteering, grounded in Christian values, meets social needs through altruism. It outlines social, environmental, and educational efforts that foster solidarity and the common good. Modern states have institutionalized these practices, inspiring new generations. The event seeks to promote fraternity among peoples and build a better world through organized cooperation. This initiative reflects a commitment to serving others, demonstrating how faith-driven actions contribute to societal well-being and human dignity across communities.
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