Austin priest reported missing

Your prayers, please, both for the priest and the probable attacker.

Let us not forget the dire results for those who attack a priest to harm him, to raise their hand against the Lord’s anointed.

Austin priest reported missing

Rev. Jesse Euresti, a priest of the Diocese of Austin, has gone missing while preparing his retirement home in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.

Father Euresti, 69, was ordained a priest in 1965. He has served in parishes in Waco, Cameron, Lockhart, Luling and Austin. Since 2006, he has served as pastor of Cristo Rey Parish in Austin. Father Euresti was scheduled to retire this summer.
The local police department in Nuevo Laredo as well as the offices of U.S. and Mexican consulates have confirmed that an investigation into the priest’s disappearance is ongoing.

Reports from his family members say that Father Euresti called at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday morning to say he was still driving. Later Tuesday morning he arrived at the house and unpacked only a few things. A person, whose identity is not known, stopped by the house to visit and reported finding the house ransacked as well as evidence of a stabbing. There is no word on the condition or the whereabouts of Father Euresti. Again, local Mexican police agencies are investigating this as a missing persons case.

“We are shocked by this information. We do not know whether he is missing or has been killed. Please remember Father Euresti, his family and parishioners in prayer,” said Bishop Gregory Aymond, bishop of the Diocese of Austin.

At this time all media outlets are respectfully asked to stay away from the parish of Cristo Rey where Father Euresti is currently assigned.

Bishop Aymond will conduct a press conference today at 3:30 p.m. at the diocesan Pastoral Center at 6225 Highway 290 East.

Again, let us not forget the dire results for those who attack a priest to harm him, to raise their hand against the Lord’s anointed… or keyboard or tongue.