Bishops condemn massacre at soccer field that left at least 11 dead in Mexico

The Mexican Bishops’ Conference (CEM, by its Spanish acronym) condemned the massacre that claimed the lives of at least 11 people and wounded 12 at a soccer field in Salamanca county in Guanajuato state on Sunday, Jan. 25, as well as the attempted arson of the Puebla Cathedral the previous night.

In a statement, the CEM warned that the armed attack directed against players and their families “does grave injury to life, human dignity, and the peaceful coexistence of our society.”

“We demand that this not go unpunished,” the Mexican bishops stated, emphasizing their “deep sorrow and indignation at the violence that continues to plague our country.”

According to local media reports, armed men in pickup trucks stormed a soccer field in the small town of Loma de Flores in the afternoon and opened fire.

The mayor of the city of Salamanca, César Prieto, reported on the night of Jan. 25 that 10 people died at the scene while another person died at the hospital. Twelve others were wounded.

Prieto said his area is “going through a tough time, a serious breakdown of society,” and acknowledged that “there are crime gangs trying to overpower the authorities.”

At least two drug cartels are reportedly vying for control of the region where Salamanca is located: the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel (named after the small town where the gang originated) and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

On X, the governor of Guanajuato, Libia Dennise García Muñoz Ledo, described the attack as “an unacceptable act that does grave injury to the families of Guanajuato” and assured that “a joint operation with the county, the Guanajuato state attorney general’s office, and federal forces was immediately activated to assist the victims, secure the area, and move forward decisively with the investigation.”

“Security in the region has been reinforced. The state will act resolutely to protect families, restore peace to the community, and find those responsible,” the governor said.

Bishops condemn attempted arson against Puebla Cathedral

In their statement, the bishops also condemned “the attempted arson against Puebla Cathedral, in which one of its main doors was damaged,” on the night of Saturday, Jan. 24.

“This act attacks the material, spiritual, and cultural heritage of humanity,” the bishops emphasized, demanding “a thorough investigation of the incident.”

In response to both incidents, the bishops issued “a call to the authorities to responsibly fulfill their duty to protect life, public safety, and sacred places, and we urge all of society to work together for peace.”

“We entrust our country to the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Queen of Mexico,” the bishops stated.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.