Culiacán Bishop reports torture of priest after three-day kidnapping

Jesús José Herrera Quiñónez, the Bishop of the Diocese of Culiacán, has reported that Father Clemente Morales Topete was kidnapped and tortured in Sinaloa, Mexico. The priest, who serves at the Jesucristo Resucitado parish, was intercepted on Saturday, October 24, after leaving a medical clinic.

According to the Bishop, Morales Topete was held for three days by individuals who used physical violence, including beatings and burns, to extract information that the priest claimed he did not possess. During his captivity, the priest was hooded and moved through various locations in the city and along dirt roads.

Morales Topete reappeared on Tuesday, October 27, driving his own vehicle to his parish. While he sustained various physical injuries and emotional trauma, medical officials indicated his injuries were not life-threatening. The Diocese has called for justice and urged the public to avoid spreading rumors while investigations proceed.