Bishop prays for slain priest and conversion of killers in Mexico

Mexico City, Mexico, Jun 18, 2009 / 22:04 pm

Bishop Maximino Martinez Miranda of Ciudad Altamirano celebrated the funeral mass for a priest and two seminarians slain in the state of Guerrero on June13, calling of the faithful to pray for the conversion of their killers.

During his homily, the bishop underscored that “as the Catholic Church we firmly reject these acts that go against human life, the improvement of society and the work of evangelization of a priest who labored daily for the good of others.”

“We have no words to express our concern and sorrow for the killing of our beloved ‘Father Cuco,’ as we called him, a priest of our beloved Diocese of Ciudad Altamirano,” the bishop said.

Bishop Martinez went on to recall that Father Habacuc was a model of living out the beatitudes, and he called for “prayers for the eternal repose of Father Habacuc Hernandez Benitez and for those responsible for this murder, that the Lord would transform their hearts of stone into hearts of flesh.”

After explaining that Father Habacuc was in charge of vocations for the diocese, Bishop Martinez recalled that he “stood out for his spirit of charity towards those in need, his pastoral commitment, intelligence, commitment to others and dedication to vocations.”

“May Father Habacuc and his two disciples, Eduardo and Silvestre, be counted among God’s saints and chosen ones, may they now enjoy His presence and may this incident serve to strengthen our faith,” the bishop prayed.