.- The Archdiocese of Acapulco, Mexico, reported that two priests were murdered early Monday morning, Feb 5.

Fr. Iván Añorve Jaimes, pastor of Holy Family Parish in the town of Las Vigas, and Fr. Germain Muñiz Garcia, the pastor of Mezcala; were killed in an attack by unidentified individuals in Taxco township.

According to a press release from the Guerrero State Attorney General's Office, the victims were traveling on the Iguala-Taxco highway when they were suddenly cut off by another vehicle, from which shots were fired. The assailants fled the scene.

“As a Church we are greatly troubled by this tragic event which is mourned by the entire archdiocesan community and that of the Diocese of Chilpancingo-Chilapa. We call on the authorities, that once the truth is known, that justice be served,” a statement from the Archdiocese of Acapulco reads.

After lifting up their prayers for the souls of the priests, the Archdiocese of Acapulco also asked prayers for “the conversion of those who, forgetting that we are brothers, commit this kind of crime, which injures the dignity of the human person so much, snatches away the sacred gift of life and sows pain and suffering in the family and in society.”

“Let us not relent in our efforts to build peace in our family, in our community, in our state, in our homeland. Let us ask the Lord for this peace every day,” the statement concludes.

This article was originally published by our sister agency, ACI Prensa. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.