---
title: Mexico: Church Demands Justice for Murder of Father Roman
url: https://www.faithfulnews.com/en/mexico-church-demands-justice-for-murder-of-father-roman
published: 2026-09-25T17:49:55+00:00
language: en
section: World Church
source: https://www.vaticannews.va/pt/igreja/news/2026-09/mexico-padre-roman-sacerdotes-bispos-igreja-violencias-justica.html
organizations: Catholic Multimedia Center, Mexican Episcopal Conference, Diocese of Huejutla, Prophetic Pastoral Commission, Vatican News, Hidalgo state
publisher: FaithfulNews
---

# Mexico: Church Demands Justice for Murder of Father Roman

The body of Father Roman de la Cruz Hernandez, shot multiple times, was found beside a red-brown pickup truck on September 15 near the road between Lolotla and Tlanchinol in Hidalgo state. A cardboard piece with an unrevealed message lay near the corpse. The 48-year-old priest, pastor of Santa Cruz community in Huejutla de Reyes and coordinator of the Prophetic Pastoral Commission of Huejutla Diocese, was killed. The Prosecutor General opened an investigation covering multiple lines. The case follows a pattern of unresolved murders of priests, laypeople and pastoral agents in Mexico over the past decade. According to the Catholic Multimedia Center annual 2025 report, 13 priests were assassinated and 3 disappeared in the seven years before 2025, with 80 percent of documented cases remaining unsolved.

The report notes that data must be interpreted cautiously as no single government registry exists for violence against clergy. Dom Ramon Castro Castro, Bishop of Cuernavaca and President of the Mexican Episcopal Conference, explained that four priests were killed during the current federal government starting in 2024, including Father Roman. The Church seeks a thorough investigation to clarify facts and guarantee justice, and urges avoidance of reactions that could fuel conflict or violence. The murder also became an appeal to not grow accustomed to injustices and to affirm the value of every human life. The broader context involves insecurity affecting Mexican society, with violence against religious agents often linked to territorial disputes, organized crime and extortion.

The Episcopal Conference calls for strengthening prevention, investigation and penal action capabilities, and promotes the National Dialogue for Peace initiative involving experts, victims, indigenous peoples, migrants and other religious entities to build concrete proposals for peace.