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MEXICO CITY – The Mexican government has apologized to Roman Catholic officials and parishioners after storming a church during Mass to arrest a drug suspect.

But the Public Safety Department is standing by the decision to launch the raid, saying it was necessary to avoid a violent confrontation or escape.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the department said it respects religion. It apologized "for the circumstances under which the operation had to be carried out."

Federal police arrested Miguel Angel Baeza, an alleged high-ranking lieutenant in La Familia drug cartel, during a church service in drug-plagued Michoacan state on Sunday.

Mexican Bishops protested the following day, saying "Mass is sacred and must be respected."


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