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Kidnapped Mexican priest found dead in southern Mexico

The Rev. Gregorio Lopez Gorostieta was found dead in an alley early Saturday. He was shot in the head, authorities said.

By Amy R. Connolly

MEXICO CITY, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- A Roman Catholic priest was found shot in the head on Saturday in the latest in a series of attacks against clergy in Guerrero state, authorities said.

The Rev. Gregorio Lopez Gorostieta had been abducted near the seminary where he taught in Ciudad Altamirano, in the Mexican state of Guerrero. The 39-year-old priest was forced out of his truck as he was kidnapped.

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No one has been arrested in connection with the shooting. Jose Francisco, archbishop of Guadalajara, demanded the killers be arrested..

"We don't want more blood. We do not want more deaths. We don't want more disappeared. We demand the authorities clarify this and other crimes that have caused pain in so many homes of our homeland, and punish according to law those responsible," he said in a written statement.

The area is known to be a stronghold for the violent drug cartel. Earlier this year, two priests were found dead. Last month, 43 college students disappeared and are presumed dead.

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