Valparaíso, Zacatecas: This Was Father Juanito, The Priest Killed by Criminal Crossfire

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

The Conference of the Mexican Episcopate mourns the death of the Franciscan priest

Father Juanito belonged to the clergy of the Misión Franciscana in Santa Lucía de la Sierra

Fray Juan Antonio Orozco Alvarado, of the Franciscan Mission in Santa Lucia de la Sierra, a community belonging to the municipality of Valparaíso, Zacatecas, died yesterday Saturday on his way to celebrate the Eucharist in the Tepehuana community of Pajaritos, in the state of Durango, because he was in the middle of the crossfire of criminal groups that were fighting at that time.

The parish priest, also known as 'Father Juanito' was 33 years old and belonged to the clergy of the Prelatura del Nayar de la Orden de Frailes Menores (Franciscans); he had arrived six months ago in the community of Santa Lucía de la Sierra as parish priest of the area.

Originally from Monclova, Coahuila, from a young age he was attracted to liturgical celebrations, went to the parish of St. Francis of Assisi and was part of the choir, in some religious ceremonies he sang accompanied by the organ or guitar.

At the end of high school he began his priestly formation at Casa San Agustín in Guadalajara, Jalisco, where he spent two years, then began his novitiate at the Franciscan Convent of Guadalupe, Zacatecas, where he studied philosophy for three years.

Later he moved to the Basilica of Zapopan where he studied for four years Theology and a year of pastoral formation.

Upon arriving six months ago in the community of Santa Lucía de la Sierra, he immediately showed a great commitment to its inhabitants, earning their respect and affection. When a fire occurred in the wooded area of the community, he organized volunteers to put down the fire, organized a food collection center for the volunteers and managed support. 

In addition he went to the place where the fire was to help combat it and kept the community informed about the actions to kill the fire.

The Conference of the Mexican Episcopate (CEM) issued a statement in which it reported on the death of the young priest, highlighting that "he was killed, a victim of the violence that is currently being experienced in our country."

And he extended his condolences to the Prelatura del Nayar.

The priest's body was transferred to Monclova, Coahuila, to be buried.

El Sol de Zacatecas