Young Catholics were murdered in Salamanca, Guanajuato

Last  Sunday, March 16, the community of Salamanca, Guanajuato, was shaken by a tragic event.

Eight young people from the Parroquia de San José de Mendoza were killed in an armed attack. They were at a multi-purpose court in the community.

This unfortunate event has caused deep consternation both in the Catholic Church and in society in general.

Context of the attack

The young people, active members of the Youth Ministry of the Diocese of Irapuato, were gathered at the court when an armed group stormed the place and opened fire on them.

The attack left, in addition to the eight deceased, nine people injured. Among them a nine-year-old child who was passing by at the time of the attack.

The local authorities, upon arriving at the site, found more than 50 shell casings from long guns and evidence of bullet impacts on the facade of the nearby church, reflecting the brutality of the attack.

Reactions of the Church and the community

The Archdiocese of Mexico, through its portal "Desde la fe," strongly condemned the murder of the young people, expressing its solidarity with the affected families and the parish community.

In their statement, they called on the authorities to clarify the facts and bring justice.

Meanwhile, the Mexican Episcopal Conference (CEM) expressed its indignation and pain over the event, urging an end to the violence plaguing the country and highlighting the need to build a more just and peaceful society.

The local community has shown its repudiation of the attack, organizing vigils and masses in memory of the victims, and demanding an effective response from the authorities to ensure security in the region.

Clamor for justice and peace

This tragic event highlights the growing insecurity affecting various regions of Mexico, where entire communities live under the constant threat of violence.

The Catholic Church and civil organizations have reiterated their call to the authorities to implement effective strategies that ensure security and promote peace in the country.

Meanwhile, the families of the murdered young people cry out for justice and hope that this painful episode doesn't go unpunished and that concrete measures are taken to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.

Mexican society, as a whole, is in a moment of reflection and demands decisive actions that allow the reconstruction of the social fabric and ensure an environment where justice and peace prevail.