Letter on Killing of Digna Ochoa

October 29, 2001

Most Reverend Sergio Obeso Rivera
Archbishop of Jalapa
President, Comit้ Episcopal de Pastoral Social
Tintoreto 106
Cd. de los Deportes
Ciudad de M้xico, D.F.
MEXICO

Dear Archbishop Obeso,

I write to express our deep concern over the murder of Lic. Digna Ochoa y Plแcido, and our sincere sympathy with you and all who have been affected by this senseless killing.

Digna Ochoa was well known and greatly respected not only in Mexico but among many in our country as well. She was seen as a tireless and courageous defender of human rights, a position that caused her to be the object of repeated threats and intimidation and even of physical violence, culminating finally in her death last Friday.

I join with you and the Comisi๓n Episcopal de Pastoral Social in calling for an impartial and thorough investigation of this crime, and for an end to the threats against all defenders of human rights, especially those of the Human Rights Center "Miguel Agustํn Pro Juแrez," with which Digna Ochoa had long been associated.

Digna Ochoa and all of you will have a special place in my prayers on Monday, the 29th of October, at the time of the Eucharistic Celebration in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the Ninth Day observance of her death.

Sincerely yours in Christ,




Archbishop of Boston
Chairman, Committee on International Policy
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

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Email us at JPHDmail@usccb.org
Justice, Peace and Human Development | 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3180 © USCCB. All rights reserved.