On November 1, the Diocese of Culiacán confirmed that priest Clemente Morales Topete was beaten, burned, and threatened with death during the three days he was held against his will by unknown individuals, following his reported disappearance on Saturday, October 24.
The Church noted that security measures have proven insufficient to restore peace to Culiacán after more than two years of violence, amid an internal conflict within the Sinaloa Cartel.
In a circular letter signed by Bishop Jesús José Herrera Quiñónez and Chancellor Ramón Alberto Ibarra Ayala, the Diocese stated that the assailants demanded information from the parish priest that he was unable to provide.
The 67-year-old clergyman—pastor of the Cristo Resucitado (Risen Christ) church in the La Campiña neighborhood—remains under medical observation and is showing positive progress; however, his recovery will require time, ongoing care, and comprehensive support.
