MEXICO CITY — An area chief of the Mexican folks saint cult “La Santa Muerte” was gunned down at an altar to the skeletal determine late Friday, authorities stated.
Two different folks had been killed and eight injured within the assault within the metropolis of Leon, in Guanajuato state, the authorities added.
The saint — whose identify means roughly “Holy Death” — is usually worshipped by convicts, drug addicts and criminals, together with different individuals who really feel excluded or are experiencing difficulties in life.
The saint, who is just not acknowledged by the Roman Catholic church, is often depicted as a feminine skeleton, and is meant to guard her followers from loss of life.
But that didn’t work for “La Madrina Chayo,” a lady thought-about a frontrunner of the cult within the north-central state of Guanajuato.
Prosecutors didn’t give her actual identify, consistent with Mexican regulation, however the nickname “La Madrina Chayo” was utilized by a religion healer also called “Chayito.”
She, one other girl and a boy had been shot lifeless Friday as they ready the annual Santa Muerte celebration.
There was no speedy info on the situation of the eight folks, together with two youngsters wounded within the taking pictures assault on the road nook altar.
Like Mexico’s Day of the Dead vacation, the Santa Muerte is honored on Nov. 1 and a pair of.
Roman Catholic leaders in Mexico have condemned the deity’s connection to violence and the illicit drug commerce.
Clad in a black nun’s gown and holding a scythe in a single hand, Santa Muerte appeals to folks in search of all method of otherworldly assist: from warding off wrongdoing and finishing up vengeance to stopping lovers from dishonest and touchdown higher jobs. Others search her safety for his or her drug shipments and to chase away regulation enforcement.
While the cult could sound ominous, the annual celebrations honoring the Santa Muerte are pleasant affairs, with folks warmly greeting fellow worshippers and providing them small items.
For years, Guanajuato has had the very best variety of homicides of any state in Mexico due to ongoing turf battles between rival drug cartels.