Here's an impressive amount of data about the history and background of The Cristero War of 1926-1929. This movie is one you will not want to miss A. Because it's a good movie B. Because it fills in some gaps of history that were not taught in schools and C. Because it's very timely in light of the current cultural climate that, ironically, parallels the religious freedom struggles we are now facing. Most inspiring is the list of remarkable priests and laymen who laid down their lives for what they believed. It's a long list.
This is a perspective movie. A big issue movie. It will beg you to consider what the meaning of absolute freedom is and what price you would pay to obtain it. Puddles of people gathered in little chat circles after the movie to discuss their immediate thoughts. It was energizing. If people start thinking about the big issues of life, death and freedom in a movie, who knows? We just might encounter them acting about it in public. It's a great idea.
I think of how good I have it here. How easy my life really is, compared to the struggles of faith that some have encountered. (I complain about my golf game, how slow the internet is, that I can't find a parking spot or anything substantive to watch over 300 television stations.... really?) I am so pitiably weak. I only hope that I can be as strong as they were if ever I am asked to pay the ultimate price. I hope that I have my priorities truly straight and conformed to the life of the One whom I say I would die for. Would I? I pray that I will be able to stand up and say, "Long live Christ the King".
THE CRISTERO WAR: THE STORY BEHIND THE COVER UP
Historian Gives Evaluation of Film, Explains What Happened
in 1920s Mexico
By Kathleen Naab
MEXICO CITY, MAY 30, 2012 (Zenit.org).- If one asks a young
Mexican about the basics of the Cristero War -- what it was and when it
happened -- it's entirely possible to get a blank stare in response. Though one
of the most important chapters in 20th-century Mexico, the war has been largely
covered up.
The film "For Greater Glory," which opens Friday
in the United States and has found great success in Mexico since it opened in
April, aims to correct that injustice and bring the war and its heroes to
light.
"For Greater Glory" (titled Cristiada in Spanish)
is essentially historically accurate, says historian Ruben Quezada, who has
written “For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada" as a companion
book to the film. The companion volume is being published by Ignatius Press and
will be released June 15 in English and Spanish.
ZENIT asked Quezada for an overview of the history of the
Cristero War, and about some of the heroes of the conflict -- heroes both for
society and for the Church.
ZENIT: Neither a film nor a ZENIT interview is sufficient to
explain all the historical intricacies of such a complex epoch. Still, could
you give us a brief overview of the Cristero War?
Quezada: The Cristero War is a chapter in Mexico’s history
in the 1920s, when thousands of Catholics answered this crucial question [of
religious freedom] at the cost of their very lives. President Plutarco Calles
launched a direct attack on the Catholic Church using articles from Mexico’s
Constitution, which created this uprising and counter-revolution against the
Mexican government during that time. The original rebellion was set off by the
persecution of Roman Catholics and a ban on their public religious practices.
There are two important dates to point out here.
The persecution began on Aug. 1, 1926, when the government
re-enacted the penal code and forced the closure of all Catholic churches
throughout the entire country with its new anticlerical laws. However, the
first coordinated uprising for religious freedom did not occur until Jan. 1,
1927.
It was not until mid June 1929 when the truce was officially
signed, bringing an end to the Cristero War.
ZENIT: Is For Greater Glory a historically accurate film?
Quezada: Apart from some “artistic license” the film is essentially
accurate.
ZENIT: The movie alludes to some discrepancy between the
Vatican's position regarding the religious persecution, and that of the
Cristero fighters. Could you explain this?
Quezada: When the oppression was about to begin, the Vatican
granted permission -- requested by the Mexican bishops -- to cease any Catholic
religious services in order to avoid confrontations. Additionally, the Holy See
wrote letters to the government requesting they abolish the Calles Law. The
government ignored each request. As the war intensified, Rome continued to have
direct communications with President Calles to ask for leniency. Not only were
Vatican officials [in Mexico] dismissed, but diplomatic relations were broken
off by the government. Lastly, Pope Pius XI wrote an encyclical letter to the
clergy and the faithful of Mexico to give them courage and hope during this
persecution. There was really not much else the Holy See could do. On Nov. 18,
1926, the Pope sent the encyclical letter Iniquis Afflictisque (On the
Persecution of the Church in Mexico) to offer prayers and encouragement during
this difficult time.
ZENIT: Some of the characters of the film are real-life
blesseds or saints. Who are they and what is their story?
Quezada: Anacleto González Flores (played by actor Eduardo
Verástegui of Bella) was born on July 13, 1888, in Tepatitlán, Jalisco, Mexico.
He was greatly involved in social and religious activities
and was an enthusiastic member of the Catholic Association of Young Mexicans
(ACJM). He taught classes in catechism, was dedicated to works of charity and
wrote articles and books with a Christian spirit. In 1922 he married María
Concepción Guerrero and they had two children.
By 1926, the situation in Mexico had worsened and Anacleto,
who up until this time had advocated passive, non-violent resistance, joined
the cause of the National League for the Defense of Religious Freedom upon
learning of the murder of four members of the ACJM.In January 1927 guerrilla
warfare spread throughout Jalisco; and from his many hiding places, Anacleto
wrote and sent bulletins and studied major strategies. The young man was
captured on the morning of April 1, 1927, in the home of the Vargas González
family, along with the three Vargas brothers.
He was taken to Fort Colorado where his torture included
being hung by his thumbs until his fingers were dislocated and having the
bottom of his feet slashed. He refused, however, to supply his captors with any
information. Anacleto González Flores was condemned to death and was shot
together with the Vargas González brothers and Luis Padilla Gómez on that same
day, April 1, 1927.
It is important to note here that Anacleto González Flores
along with Miguel Gómez Loza both received the “Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice”
award for their incredible works of service to the Catholic Church.
Miguel Gómez Loza (played by actor Raúl Mendez) was born on
Aug. 11, 1888, in Tepatitlán, Jalisco, Mexico. From a young age he had a strong
love for God and a great devotion to the Blessed Mother.When he was 26, Miguel
entered the University of Morelos where he earned a law degree, and eventually
opened an office in Arandas (state of Jalisco) as an attorney.In 1915 he became
a member of the ACJM, and in 1919 he established a national congress of Catholic
workers to unify industry workers, commercial employees and agricultural
laborers. He also worked tirelessly to defend the rights of the needy, which
caused him to be arrested 59 times for organizing protests against the
government.In 1922, Miguel married María Guadalupe Sánchez Barragán and they
had three children. He joined the "National League for the Defense of
Religious Freedom" in 1927, but believed in non-violence in order to
resist the persecution.
After the death of Anacleto, he was appointed by Catholics
as governor of Jalisco and strove by all the means at his disposal to defend
liberty and justice.By March of 1928, Miguel was living on a ranch near
Atotonilco, Jalisco. On March 21, federal forces who had been hunting for him
discovered his whereabouts; he was executed by firing squad the same day.
José Sanchez del Rio (played by actor Mauricio Kuri) was a
young Cristero soldier who joined the uprising to defend religious liberty. He
was horrified to see the attacks on the priests and the desecration of churches
in his small hometown of Sahuayo, Michoacan.When the Cristero War broke out in
1926, his brothers joined the rebel forces, but his mother would not allow him
to take part [because of his young age]. The rebel general, Prudencio Mendoza,
also refused his enlistment.The general finally relented and allowed José to
become the flag bearer of the troop. He was known to be one of the youngest
members of the Cristero movement.After his arrest we know of the gruesome
events that transpired after the government's failure to break José's resolve
on the evening of Feb. 10, 1928: “Consequently they cut the bottom of his feet
and obliged him to walk around the town toward the cemetery. They also at times
cut him with a machete until he was bleeding from several wounds. He cried and
moaned with pain, but he did not give in. At times they stopped him and said,
‘If you shout ‘Death to Christ the King’ we will spare your life.’ José would
only shout, "I will never give in. Viva Cristo Rey!" When they
reached the place of execution, they stabbed him numerous times with bayonets.
He only shouted louder, "Viva Cristo Rey!" The commander was so
furious that he pulled out his pistol and shot Blessed José Sanchez del Rio in
the head.
We do have a list of priests and laymen who have been
beatified and canonized from this persecution in Mexico.
St. Agustín Caloca
St. Atilano Cruz Alvarado
St. Cristobal Magallanes
St. David Galván Bermudes
St. David Roldán Lara
St. David Uribe Velasco
St. Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo
St. Jesús Méndez Montoya
St. José Isabel Flores Varela
St. José Maria Robles Hurtado (Priest)*
St. Jóven Salvador Lara Puente
St. Julio Álvarez Mendoza
St. Justino Orona Madrigal
St. Luis Batiz Sáinz (Priest)*
St. Manuel Morales
St. Margarito Flores García
St. Mateo Correa Magallanes (Priest)*
St. Miguel De La Mora (Priest)*
St. Pedro de Jesús Maldonado Lucero (Priest)*
St. Pedro Esqueda Ramírez
St. Rodrigo Aguilar Alemán (Priest)*
St. Román Adame Rosales
St. Sabas Reyes Salazar
St. Tranquilino Ubiarco
St. Toribio Romo González
Blessed Anacleto González Flores
Blessed Andrés Solá Molist (Priest)*
Blessed Ángel Darío Acosta Zurita (Priest)
Blessed Ezequiel Huerta Gutiérrez
Blessed Jorge Vargas González
Blessed José Sánchez del Río
Blessed José Trinidad Rangel Montaño (Priest) *
Blessed Leonardo Pérez Larios *
Blessed Luis Magaña Servín
Blessed Luis Padilla Gómez
Blessed Miguel Gómez Loza
Blessed Mateo Elías del Socorro Nieves (Priest)
Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro Juárez (Priest)
Blessed Ramón Vargas González
Blessed Salvador Huerta Gutiérrez
* Indicates member of Knights of Columbus
Our site www.VivaCristoRey.com will have documentation on
the lives of each one along with the new book “For Greater Glory: The True
Story of the Cristiada.” It’s the official companion book to the film published
in English and Spanish by Ignatius Press. As an expert on the Cristero War, I
was honored to write it. The book also includes a foreword by Archbishop José
Gomez of Los Angeles and an introduction by Eduardo Verástegui, and there is an
essay by Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson.
ZENIT: The Cristero War is a page mostly lost to history,
even for young Mexicans, who don't learn about it in school. How is this
possible?
Quezada: As recently as the 1980s it was difficult to find a
single book that mentioned anything substantive about the Cristiada. If it was
mentioned, it usually was no more than a single sentence in President Calles’
biography. School systems did not include the Cristiada as part of its history
so that future generations would soon lose any knowledge of it.
But even today, it is important to note a crucial difference
between the official state narrative and the Catholic understanding of events.
The Mexican government portrays the Cristiada as a rebellion because the
Cristeros “rebelled” against the enforcement of the Calles Law. But rebellion
is hardly a fitting way to describe an attempt to restore customs in place for
centuries before the Mexican Revolution. Catholics see the Cristiada as a
response, albeit a violent one, to unjust persecution because Catholics were persecuted
by unjust laws that inhibited their religious freedom.
There is more freedom of the press today, and a large volume
of untold stories about the Cristiada -- testimonies and images that were
illegal to print or publish for many years -- are finally emerging. There are
literally thousands of testimonies coming to light that reveal an inspiring
history that has been hidden for decades under a dark shadow of fear and
denial.
