Church officials: Priest, vicar murdered in Mexico

VERACRUZ, Mexico -- A Mexican Roman Catholic diocese says a parish priest and his vicar have been murdered in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz.

The diocese of Tuxpan said in a statement that the head of Ixhuatlan de Madero parish, Rev. Hipolito Villalobos, and vicar Rev. Nicolas De la Cruz were found dead Friday.

The church said the priests were killed in the parish but did not provide any more details. The Archdiocese of Xalapa that has jurisdiction over the parish says they are cooperating with authorities.

Officials say four suspects have been detained for questioning.

In September, another priest was attacked with a machete in the same state but survived without serious injuries.