Mexico City, Mexico, Aug 3, 2017 / 04:02 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Father José Miguel Machorro, who was stabbed in the neck and torso mid-May at the conclusion of Mass at the cathedral of Mexico City, died while at hospital on Thursday.
“May the God of life already have him in his presence and may Our Lady of Guadalupe console and strengthen all the faithful who have suffered along with him this lamentable deed,especially his relatives, who suffer today this irremediable loss which most deeply pains us,” Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera of Mexico said Aug. 3.
Fr. Machorro, 55, was attacked the evening of May 15 in a knife attack. The assailant, Juan René Silva Martínez, is a 32 year old Mexican citizen.
Martinez attempted to slit the throat of the priest, instead injuring him on the right side of his neck. Expert reports have determined that the assailant has a “psychotic disorder.”
Fr. Machorro was in intensive care until late June. He was later put in the care of his brother in the state of Puebla.
Various complications led to his Aug.1 emergency transfer from the Tehuacán General Hospital, Puebla, to the Salvador Zubirán National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition in Mexico City.
He was declared brain dead the evening of Aug. 2, and died shortly after noon the following day.
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Mexico City Newsroom, May 19, 2022 / 15:14 pm (CNA).
The body of Father José Guadalupe Rivas Saldaña, 57, has been found with signs of violence on the outskirts of Tecate, a city located on the border with the Unit… […]
Polish dancers at the reception following this year’s World Day for Migrants and Refugees Mass at St. Paul’s Parish in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, on Sept. 23, 2023. / Credit: Nicholas Elbers
Vancouver, Canada, Oct 7, 2023 / 07:00 am (CNA).
Eastern European floral prints were resplendent next to elaborate Asian headdresses at this year’s Mass celebrating the annual World Day for Migrants and Refugees on Sept. 23 in Richmond, British Columbia.
The event’s attendance was back to pre-COVID numbers, and St. Paul’s Church in Richmond was packed to capacity. An African choir provided music during Communion, and several hundred people attended a post-Mass reception with ethnic food served from many of the cultures present and performances by cultural choirs and dancers.
Attendees at the post-Mass reception with ethnic food served from many of the cultures present and performances by cultural choirs and dancers, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, Sept. 23, 2023. Credit: Nicholas Elbers
In his homily, Father Richard Zanotti said it’s essential that migrants and refugees don’t get blamed for seeking a life of dignity.
“The universality of the Church is made visible by all of you gathered for this Eucharist, many cultures around one table to celebrate God’s love for us all,” said the Scalabrinian pastor of St. Ann’s, where he works with migrant workers in the Fraser Valley.
The Church teaches us that we all have a right to a life of dignity, replete with basic human needs like food, shelter, medical attention, and dignified work, he said.
Migrants and refugees must not be blamed for seeking a life of dignity, said Father Richard Zanotti at St. Paul’s Church at the Migrants and Refugees Mass in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, Sept. 23, 2023. Credit: Nicholas Elbers
In his address for this year’s Day for Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis said: “Since the world’s resources are not unlimited, the development of the economically poorer countries depends on the capacity for sharing that we can manage to generate among all countries.”
Until that happens, “many people will still have to emigrate in order to seek a better life, a life worthy of dignity,” the pope said.
Reflecting on the pope’s message, Zanotti said it’s important not to blame migrants and refugees but to look at the world’s responsibility for supporting poor countries so their people don’t feel compelled to leave.
“We pray for the political will to do this in a safe and orderly way,” Zanotti said.
Music minster at Migrants and Refugees Mass in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, Sept. 23, 2023. Credit: Nicholas Elbers
‘If I was caught, it could mean death’: a refugee’s testimony
As is the custom after the Mass, the audience heard from a Catholic refugee who shared her story of coming to Canada.
This year’s testimony came from an Eritrean woman who shared how she escaped the injustice of her home country. She asked that her name not be published.
A refugee from Eritrea (pictured here with her family) shared her 10-year journey to find freedom at the post-Mass reception following this year’s World Day for Migrants and Refugees Mass at St. Paul’s Parish in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, Sept. 23, 2023. Credit: Nicholas Elbers
“Thirteen years ago, I decided to leave Eritrea, the country that I grew up in and I loved.
“Under dictatorship, soldiers had put us forever in slavery. Life was unbearable, and we were working unpaid for the government.” One day she went with a friend to a shoe store to buy plastic sandals, she said, “the kind our freedom fighters wore during the 30-year war for independence in my country. I was ready for my journey to freedom in my freedom shoes.”
Rest in PEace deepest condolences to his family!
Oh my goodness, rip and may the eternal light sine upon him.