The Catholic Church has issued an alert to parents, priests, and catechists to “take all necessary security measures” following recent reports of the disappearance of minors and the confirmed existence of a gang dedicated to child theft.

In a circular letter dated Sept. 17, Cuernavaca Bishop Ramón Castro indicated that “reports of the disappearance of minors have been filed, and the media have reported the existence of a gang dedicated to the theft of children that has been corroborated by the authorities.”

One of the most recent cases is that of Joshua, a baby stolen in Cuautla, Morelos, on July 2. According to the local media outlet La Jornada, the minor was rescued along with other minors on Sept. 17 as part of a joint operation conducted by the Office of the Attorney General (FGR, by its Spanish acronym) and the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA, by its Spanish acronym) in Chiapas.

The FGR reported on Sept. 17 that five people were arrested in relation to the operation for their alleged participation in a minor trafficking ring.

According to central government statistics, since the Oct. 1, 2018, beginning of Cuauhtémoc Blanco Bravo’s term as governor of Morelos, there have been 379 disappearances of minors in the state, mostly girls.

Bishop Castro called for reinforced security in “all catechetical centers,” urging that “in the event of the slightest suspicion, the municipal authorities be informed.” The prelate highlighted the importance of assuming “together the responsibility of caring for our children.”

In addition, Bishop Castro urged the Catholic faithful to pray so that this situation “that worries us at the moment is transformed into an environment of security” in order to guarantee well-being and harmony.