Bishops Celebrate Memorial Mass on the Border for José Antonio

Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger and Bishop Emeritus Gerald F. Kicanas joined Bishop Leopoldo of Nogales, Mexico who presided at a memorial Mass on the tenth anniversary the death of José Antonio Elena Rodríguez. “Today we accompany José Antonio’s family in their pain,” said Bishop Weisenburger at the ceremony which was held in Mexico beside the border.

Ten years ago, José Antonio was killed by U.S. Border Patrol officials from across the U.S.-Mexico border. José Antonio was a bystander on the Mexico side when he was shot ten times from behind.

“There are tragedies that shake a community to its core,” said Bishop Weisenburger. “The death of José Antonio, without a doubt, shocked us all, not only because of the painful loss of a life that was just beginning, full of goals and dreams to fulfill, but also because of the injustice: an injustice that continues today, ten years later.”

The memorial Mass was coordinated by Kino Border Initiative, a bi-national organization that serves the immediate needs of migrants in Nogales, Mexico and provides education on human rights.

“We must continue to work for policies and practices that protect life and respect the dignity of every human being,” emphasized Bishop Weisenburger. “Let us continue to insist that our leaders use their power to provide remedies and to implement measures to ensure that a tragedy like this never happens again.”