Organized Crime

The Latest

Father Felice Palamara.

Mafia in Italy suspected of poisoning priest’s chalice

Feb 27, 2024

By Marco Mancini

During evening Mass on Feb. 24, Father Felice Palamara noticed a strange smell coming from the chalice. Read more

Bishop Rodrigo Aguilar Martínez presides over the Diocese of San Cristóbal de las Casas in the Mexico-Guatemala border region.

Bishop decries ‘scourge of violence’ by organized crime on Mexico’s southern border

Dec 28, 2023

By Diego López Colín

Bishop Rodrigo Aguilar Martínez warned that “organized crime keeps people besieged, confined, intimidated, and threatened, harming them more every day.” Read more

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

Catholic newspaper takes Mexican president to task for joking about murders

Sep 8, 2023

By Martin Barillas

“He not only shows a lack of sensitivity but also perversion,” read an editorial in the newspaper of the Archdiocese... Read more

Reconstruction of the church of Santa Anita in the Tarahumara mountain range in northern Mexico.

Parishioners begin to repair church riddled with bullets in Mexico

Aug 24, 2023

By Diego López Colín

Fighting between organized crime members in June caused serious damage to both outside and inside the village church in Santa... Read more

The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven in Mexico City, Mexico

Mexican bishops: The country is spattered in the blood of the dead and disappeared

Jun 26, 2022

By David Ramos

"Our Mexico is being spattered in the blood of so many dead and disappeared," the Catholic Church in the country... Read more

Mexican flag during the Angelus Address in St. Peter's Square on January 10, 2016.

March for life and family in Mexico opposes abortion, organized crime

Sep 25, 2019

Pro-life advocates took to the streets throughout Mexico on Sept. 21 to march for life, family, and conscience protections.  Read more

Pompeii with Mt Vesuvius in the background.

Here's what the Church in Pompei is doing about the mafia

Mar 15, 2015

By Elise Harris

Archbishop Tommaso Caputo of Pompei said that his diocese has welcomed the Pope’s recent condemnation of organized crime and has... Read more

Pope Francis meets with members of the Italian diocese of Cassano all’Jonio Feb 21, 2015.

If you are in organized crime, you are not a Christian, Pope says

Feb 21, 2015

You cannot call yourself a true believer if you participate in organized crime, Pope Francis told members of the Cassano... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square prior to a General Audience, May 22, 2013.

Pope Francis expresses solidarity with victims of mafia violence

Mar 21, 2014

At a Friday meeting and prayer vigil with families of mafia victims, Pope Francis shared his sympathy with them, and... Read more