Mexican Priest Survives Brutal Kidnapping as Bishop Calls for Justice and Repentance

A Catholic priest in Mexico survived three days of captivity, severe beatings, burns, and repeated death threats before returning to his parish in Culiacán, Sinaloa.

Father Clemente Morales Topete, pastor of Risen Christ Parish, was abducted October 24 after a medical appointment. According to EWTN News, unidentified captors physically assaulted him while demanding information he reportedly did not possess.

Morales returned to his church October 27, suffering serious physical injuries and emotional trauma. Parishioners assisted him before he received specialized medical treatment.

In a November 1 statement, Bishop José de Jesús Herrera Quiñones condemned the violence and urged authorities to investigate the kidnapping and prosecute those responsible.

According to ZENIT, the bishop also cautioned against spreading unverified accusations during the investigation.

While demanding justice, Herrera Quiñones called those responsible to repentance and reconciliation with God.

The bishop expressed gratitude for the priest’s survival while acknowledging the suffering of other victims of violence throughout Mexico.