Two Mexico Priests Kidnapped, Murdered Near Their Church

Two priests were murdered and found dead on Sunday in eastern Mexico after being kidnapped from their church, according to a Mexican Times report. 

The two men were taken by gunmen from their church located in Poza Rica, in the middle of the crime-plagued state of Veracruz, according a local spokesman for the bishops' conference where the victims were located.

"They took the two priests by force as well as a sacristan," the spokesman told reporters. 

The sacristan was able to escape, but the priests were found with bullet wounds close to where they were kidnapped. 

"We hope the authorities will clear up these incidents and apply justice against those responsible," the Mexican Episcopal conference said in statement.

The number of Catholic clergymen killed in Mexico has risen to 14 since 2012, according to the Catholic Multimedia Center.