Drug cartels keep Catholic officials in fear

[tomm2thumbs]

Source: LA Times

Father Manuel Corral, a spokesman for the Mexican Bishops Conference, said Monday that priests in eight Mexican states have been threatened with harm or death, presumably by drug traffickers. Although the threats are anonymous, he said, most come via missives and third-party go-betweens when priests have attempted to turn members of their parishes away from the traffickers and use of drugs.

"It's always when the priests denounce violence, injustice and crime, or when we try to get our people to leave the narco-menudeo," or drug street sales, Corral said in an interview.

A small number of priests have had to be transferred from their churches because of threats, but most traffickers remain discreet.


Soon after announcing that Joaquin Guzman, above, head of the Sinaloa cartel, lived nearby, an archbishop issued an apology and backed down.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-mexico-priests21-2009apr21,0,3888664.story

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This should make Mexican Catholics - who are dealing with the drug wars as well - furious - that the drug cartels are threatening their priests. Where is the Vatican on this issue? They are considered a 'nation' in the United Nations - why are they not demanding intervention by the United Nations in this battle to protect innocent people?

[ck4829]

1. Not so tough when your enemies are not poor pregnant women, huh?

[RandomThoughts]

3. Most priest are really good people

trying to help others, I know people disagree with there stance on many issues, but they do good work for many people.

Its hard to believe the criminals would threaten them, most of the communities are respectful of their faith leaders.

[w4rma]

4. And it would appear that the good people aren't being backed up by the Vatican. (nt)

[AngryOldDem]

2. It's reminiscent of Archbishop Oscar Romero in El Salvador.

I wonder if the Vatican will say anything when one of them is shot dead at the altar?