Catholic World News News Feature

Mexican Church still seeks explanation of cardinal's death in 1993 May 26, 2008

On May 24, the 15th anniversary of the death of Cardinal Juan Jesus Posadas Ocampo, the Church in Mexico reiterated its demand for a government explanation of the prelate's murder, Vatican Radio reports.

Cardinal Posadas was killed by gunmen who shot him at point-blank range at the Guadalajara airport, then escaped across country by plane. Church leaders in Mexico have never been satisfied with government claims that the cardinal was an unfortunate victim of mistaken identity or was caught in a crossfire in a gunfight between rival drug gangs.

An early investigation produced charges against 13 men, all known to be involved in drug trafficking. But their 2004 conviction was thrown out on appeal, and in 2006 a court order a new inquiry. In 2007, Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iniquez, the successor to Cardinal Posadas, told the Catholic News Agency that he knew the identity of his predecessor's assassin. "We already know who… and why," he said, explaining that corrupt politicians had protected the guilty parties.

In January of this year the government arrested Alfredo Araujo Avila, a US citizen, described as "one of the most dangerous hit men" of the Arrelano Felix drug empire, and charged him with the cardinal's murder.