Letter to Archbishop Obeso on the Death of Digna Ochoa, October 29, 2001

October 29, 2001 

Most Reverend Sergio Obeso Rivera
Archbishop of Jalapa
President, Comité Episcopal de Pastoral Social
Tintoreto 106
Cd. de los Deportes
Ciudad de México, D.F.
MEXICO 

Dear Archbishop Obeso,

I write to express our deep concern over the murder of Lic. Digna Ochoa y Plácido, and our sincere sympathy with you and all who have been affected by this senseless killing. 

Digna Ochoa was well known and greatly respected not only in Mexico but among many in our country as well. She was seen as a tireless and courageous defender of human rights, a position that caused her to be the object of repeated threats and intimidation and even of physical violence, culminating finally in her death last Friday. 

I join with you and the Comisión Episcopal de Pastoral Social in calling for an impartial and thorough investigation of this crime, and for an end to the threats against all defenders of human rights, especially those of the Human Rights Center "Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez," with which Digna Ochoa had long been associated. 

Digna Ochoa and all of you will have a special place in my prayers on Monday, the 29th of October, at the time of the Eucharistic Celebration in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the Ninth Day observance of her death. 

Sincerely yours in Christ, 

Archbishop of Boston
Chairman, Committee on International Policy
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops