SAN ANTONIO – Father Rodolfo Caballero is the pastor at Prince of Peace Catholic Church today, far away from his seven-year stint in Monterrey and the rural communities in Mexico that taught him lessons in staying alive. He and other priests are speaking out in the aftermath of the murders of several priests in Mexico, including two just last week in Posa Rica in eastern Mexico.
Caballero recalls his first encounter with criminals who target priests, saying he took something someone told him long ago to save his own life. It was a question he posed to the would-be kidnapper.
“’What do you want God to do for you and your family? You want blessings? Or what else would you like?’ And he just said, 'No, no, no, Father. I don't want nothing (to do) with you. Just go your way,’" said Caballero.
That close call was something that happens often enough to priests in Mexico, who are trained to open their doors and be welcoming to all who want entrance into church. That accessibility was a gift to parishioners, but also a liability.
“Every now and then I would go on rural missions in different little towns close to the border,” he said. “And many times you could see that danger was there."
In the two priest murders in Posa Rica, there is a great deal of confusion as to what exactly happened. Some claim the priests had been drinking with their kidnappers and eventual murderers. The Archdiocese of Mexico City is begging anyone with information to come forward so that justice can be served.
Father Rodolfo has a theory. “It could be that sometimes it is an easy way to get money. Also, priests who preach the gospel, they know they will forgive them," he said.
The aftermath, however, has terrified Catholics in Mexico, who need their priests for comfort amid the political tension and violent environments they find themselves in now. Priests are in high demand in the towns and villages that pose the biggest threats.
The veteran at Prince of Peace offers this to the people. "Trust in the Lord. I think that is the greatest weapon. Always be strong and gracious, because that is what the gospel is,” he said. “Gracious."