The lifeless body of Father Bertoldo Pantaleón Estrada, 58 years old and parish priest of the Church of San Cristóbal in Mezcala, was found this Monday, October 6, in a location in the municipality of Eduardo Neri in the State of Guerrero, two days after his disappearance reported on Saturday, October 4. The Diocese of Chilpancingo-Chilapa confirmed the discovery, while the State Attorney General's Office opened an investigation for homicide, after identifying multiple bullet impacts on the body, located inside an abandoned truck on the Milpillas-El Platanal stretch.
The disappearance of Father Pantaleón Estrada generated immediate concern in the ecclesiastical community. In a statement issued on the same day as the report, the bishop of the Diocese of Chilpancingo-Chilapa José de Jesús González Hernández, OFM, urged the faithful to offer prayers for his prompt location and respect for his physical integrity. «I ask for the charity of praying for his prompt location», expressed the prelate, while asking to avoid speculation and maintain an optimistic spirit amid adversity. «The call is to raise prayers in the different parish communities so that his personal integrity is respected and he is located safe and sound», he added, emphasizing trust in God and the authorities for his safe discovery.
Following the tragic discovery, the same diocese issued a new statement lamenting the death of the priest, who had served for eight years in the parish of San Cristóbal. González Hernández offered prayers for his eternal rest and accompanied the family in their grief: «I raise to God our Lord my prayers, as well as those of the entire diocesan community for his eternal rest, and I accompany as Bishop and Pastor his family in these difficult moments». The bishop called on the authorities to clarify the facts and assign responsibilities, granting forgiveness to those involved but leaving justice in God's hands. «I make the most attentive request to the authorities to clarify the facts and assign responsibilities to those involved. I grant forgiveness to those directly involved, leaving to God the administration of justice», he stated. Additionally, he invited the community to continue on the path of peace and in favor of life, and called for wakes and prayers in the parish.
The Ecclesiastical Province of Acapulco, which encompasses several dioceses in the region, also reacted with deep sorrow to the murder. In its statement, it lamented the loss of the sense of the sacred in society: «The sense of the sacred is being lost» and expressed consternation at the increase in attacks against life and human dignity, especially against consecrated persons. They emphasized that «it is becoming more common to attack the life and dignity that God grants to every person and every baptized person».
For its part, the Mexican Episcopal Conference (CEM) expressed its condolences and demanded justice in a statement issued on October 6. The bishops expressed their pain over the discovery of Father Pantaleón Estrada's lifeless body and joined in prayer with Bishop González Hernández, the diocesan presbytery, the parish community, and the family, asking for hope and consolation. «We demand from the competent authorities of the State and the Federation a prompt, exhaustive, and transparent investigation that allows for the clarification of this crime and the just punishment of those responsible», they demanded. Likewise, they thanked God for the priest's ministry: «We express our gratitude to God for the priestly ministry of Father Bertoldo, for his generous dedication to the service of the Gospel and the Church».
This case adds to a worrying wave of violence against priests in Mexico, with at least 80 clerics murdered in the last 35 years, according to data from the Centro Católico Multimedial. Guerrero, one of the states most affected by organized crime, has seen multiple similar incidents in recent years. Local authorities, led by the attorney general, have promised a thorough investigation, although preliminary details point to possible involvement of a driver as a line of inquiry.
The community of Mezcala and neighboring parishes organized vigils and masses in memory of Father Pantaleón Estrada, remembered for his pastoral dedication and commitment to peace in a region marked by insecurity. The funeral rites with the body present will be held in the Parish of San Cristóbal, Mezcala, and subsequently in the Parish of San Francisco, Iguala de la Independencia, Guerrero. The final rites will be in La Changata, Ajuchitlán del Progreso, Guerrero, the hometown of the murdered priest.
May he rest in peace.
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