A Colombian priest has died of his injuries after being shot during a mugging on March 21 in the northern city of Sincelejo.

The funeral for Fernando Meza Luna, who led the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima church, was held yesterday (March 24) in the city’s cathedral.

“I am deeply saddened by his death, and I hope it can be a source of greater unity among priests,” said the Bishop-emeritus of Sincelejo, Orlando Corrales. “Now that we are close to Easter, I invite everyone to raise their voices, asking for respect for life.”

Colombia is No. 35 on Open Doors’ World Watch List, which ranks the countries where Christians are most under pressure for their faith. Organised crime is one of the major ways in which Christians put targeted in Colombia and Latin America in general, according to the List.

Source: Fides