The Deacon's Bench
A priest in Mexico City has been arrested for murder barely a week after he celebrated a funeral Mass for the victim.
Father Francisco Javier Bautista was arrested June 19 by Mexico City judicial officers and charged over the killing of 29-year-old Hugo Leonardo Avendano Chavez, the Catholic News Service (CNS) reports.
Avendano Chavez recently graduated with a master’s degree from a Catholic university, worked with Father Bautista at Christ the Savior Parish and had aspirations of entering the priesthood.
The priest, who also served as an exorcist, was ordered to remain in custody pending trial.
Motives for the slaying were not revealed by Mexico City investigators, though a local prosecutor told reporters the case was not a kidnapping, as originally reported.
The victim was found murdered June 13 in southern Mexico City. Family say he had gone to the Christ the Savior Parish, where he worked, late June 11 and saw Father Bautista.
The two men were spotted together outside the parish, according to footage from surveillance cameras.
The Archdiocese of Mexico City said in written statement that it is cooperating with the police investigation.
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