Members of a Catholic youth group were reportedly beaten, raped and shot while they were bringing aid to earthquake victims in south Mexico.
The volunteers, who were delivering food and relief aid to communities affected by the earthquakes in Oaxaca on Tuesday morning, were intercepted by unidentified gunmen who shot up their cars. The assailants reportedly raped one of the girls, beat one of the men and shot another in the neck.
The suspects took away the supplies, the youths’ cellphones and approximately $2,300 collected to purchase items to donate to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec region, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Mexico City.
“We are very sad. We have cried at the impotence of the situation, as much for the young people as the girl who was raped,” the statement said, as reported by Catholic News Service.
“We hope that both (of the injured) survive. We are still awaiting a medical report on these brave young people,” it continued.
Southern Mexico was hit with a deadly quake on Sept. 7, leaving nearly 100 people dead and many more homeless in Oaxaca and Chiapas states. Another quake struck near Mexico City on Sept. 19, claiming at least 337 lives. The federal government has reported that more than 150,000 homes have been damaged in both disasters, while church officials in dioceses close to the capital report massive damage to churches.
Aid being sent over land has been halted for now in light of the attack against the youth aid workers, and future volunteers have been warned about potential attacks and have been advised to stay off the highways, according to Arvizu.
He further noted that his organization has had to redirect a truck filled with food from Morelia, Michoacán, and put a hold on aid coming from San Diego, California because of the risks on the aid workers.
“If the government guaranteed the safety of the volunteers, this would not have happened. They are not helping, working or carrying food, neither the president nor the governors of the states … but the work they have to do, that of providing security to those who do help, is practically nothing,” he said.
Full story at Christian Times.
Hundreds of people dead. Yet you all use this single abonimable act to discourage others from giving aid. Shame on you!
Tell that this to this poor souls loved ones….
Shame on you, fellow Catholic, for blinding yourself to the knowledge of the diabolical nature of the nation that is Mexico. From the barbarity of the Aztecs, to the present-day drug cartels and the culture of Santa Muerte, this nation is deeply troubled. It is not to discourage those from giving aid, but it’s the necessity of doing so while recognizing the danger that must predominate.
What is the culture of Santa Muerte never of it before.”
Here’s a recent article. The cult is satanic. The phenomenon doesn’t receive much coverage in the U.S. See: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/mexican-prison-massacre-may-have-saint-death-ties-92835
“the diabolical nature of the nation that is Mexico”. WOW. In a single swipe you condemn hundreds of millions of people with barely a thought, a nation that has one of the largest Catholic populations in the world.
You do not have be in the country to help. Even if people from around the world send food, or money to help people. The government somewhere down the line will keep all of it; never reaching the intended.
Doing these evils to those trying to help you! Mexico is a disaster because collectively, it turns a blind eye toward this kind of lawlessness. Is this the kind of “culture” we must respect? No, it isn’t and innocent Mexicans suffer most greatly at the hands of their own countrymen.
It doesn’t turn a blind eye towards lawlessness. What evidence do you have of such an outrageous accusation?
“YFC”, if the fact that millions of their citizens flood the US border to escape the crime doesn’t convince you then nothing will. And by the way, crossing our US border without authorization is a crime too!
Mexico has always been totally corrupt!
So is the good ‘ole USA and most all nations.
I am reminded of the ‘Children’s Crusade’, which mostly served to deliver European Children in to Islamic Slavery (Which is in line with their ‘faith’ and its treatment of Non Muslims), as the dispatch of the good hearted in to places where Evil is rampant is generally doomed to failure and misery for all – save the Banditos.
Security is Essential to doing Good Work and having it Survive in a Hostile Place, and those who fail to look to the former can expect little of the latter.
Maybe the Mexican government needs to send soldiers to escort and protect the volunteers! Perhaps the volunteers who were evilly attacked, were from the Archdiocese of Mexico City?? Too bad there is so much sin and corruption, in this country, which has a beautiful, ancient, traditional culture– and the holy Virgin of Guadalupe!! Tragic!! Looks like the earthquake rescue efforts need lots of good organization and supervision, along with strong protection by the country’s military!!
This headline is, at best, imprecise. The subject is plural, implying more than one person beaten, more than one raped, and more than one shot. The text specifies one person beaten, a separate person raped, and a separate person shot. Specificity is helpful.
There are 2 million Americans and Canadians living throughout all of Mexico. About half illegally. But the government knows
because they are not only money but experience to the Mexican communities at large. This article is utter nonsense.
satan hates Mexico ever since Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego. Conversion of 9 million Mexican natives drummed devil worship out. he;’s been trying to get even ever since. Our Lady of Guadalupe will help. All we have to do is ask.
You left this out:
“Carlos Arvizú, Administrator of Papa Francisco Pro Felicitas AC, noted that this was not the first time that volunteers have been attacked. He said that other aid workers have been assaulted and claimed that the Mexican army even tried to rob volunteers from Guanajuato of their relief supplies.”
Somewhat hard to sympathize with the male victims. Whose brilliant idea was it to bring the girls along anyway? Some hip youth minister in jeans and scriptured black T-Shirt? Send him and Carlos down with the next load — alone.
What a shame. Penance, penance, penance!!!