The Archdiocese of San Salvador released a statement expressing “Its sorrow over the murder of Fr. Walter Vásquez. We express our solidarity with the Diocese of Santiago de María and his relatives.” Fr. Walter Osmir Vásquez Jiménez was shot and killed the afternoon of March 29, Holy Thursday, on a dirt road outside of the town of Lolotique, El Salvador, as he was on his way to celebrate Mass. According to the National Civil Police of El Salvador, the priest, 36, was stopped and killed “when he was riding in a car to celebrate a Mass in a place known as La Casona.”
According to the Italian publication l’Avvenire, three armed men wearing ski masks robbed the priest and other passengers in the vehicle, taking their wallets, watches and cell phones. They then ordered the priest to get out of the car and took him some 150 feet away and shot him. However, Fr. Vásquez Jiménez was only grazed by the bullet and attempted to flee, when he was then shot again and killed.
Although the motive for the killing is unknown, l’Avvenire reported that the victim exercised his ministry in a violent area of the country where the gangs extort businesses and the priests often try to provide protection for the inhabitants. They also support young men who do not want to join the gangs. Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chavez, the auxiliary bishop of San Salvador, conveyed that “we are here along with Fr. Walter to say: Yes to life, yes to love, yes to forgiveness, yes to justice.”
Source: CNA
