The Cristero War The Persecution of the Catholic Church in Mexico

Prelude to Persecution The end of the Revolution in 1917 brought about a series of changes in Mexican law. The end of the Revolution in 1917 brought about a series of changes in Mexican law. The new vision of “justice” and “peace” meant that the Catholic Church needed to be removed from active social life. The new vision of “justice” and “peace” meant that the Catholic Church needed to be removed from active social life. The Anti-Catholic laws meant that the Church was now an enemy of the new Republic of Mexico. The Anti-Catholic laws meant that the Church was now an enemy of the new Republic of Mexico. Mexico was 99% Catholic at the time. Mexico was 99% Catholic at the time. The new government, however, was led by power- hungry masons and socialists. The new government, however, was led by power- hungry masons and socialists.

Anti-Catholic Laws of 1917 Catholic schools were closed; all children had to be educated in state schools. Catholic schools were closed; all children had to be educated in state schools. Monastic orders had no legal rights Monastic orders had no legal rights Public worship was forbidden outside of churches. Public worship was forbidden outside of churches. Severe restrictions to catholic church ownership of property. Severe restrictions to catholic church ownership of property. Priests were denied basic civil rights. Priests were denied basic civil rights. Catholic marriage no longer had the force of law. Catholic marriage no longer had the force of law. Priests and nuns could not wear religious clothing/habits in public. Priests and nuns could not wear religious clothing/habits in public.

Masonic Ideals Freemasonry: a secret society which has as a goal the “universal brotherhood of mankind.” Freemasonry: a secret society which has as a goal the “universal brotherhood of mankind.” Old paganism mixed with “enlightenment” ideals. From the beginning, masonry saw the Catholic Church as the greatest obstacle to a one world government, aka, a New World Order. Old paganism mixed with “enlightenment” ideals. From the beginning, masonry saw the Catholic Church as the greatest obstacle to a one world government, aka, a New World Order.

Plutarco Elias Calles Becomes president in 1926 Becomes president in 1926 Viscious anti-Catholic freemason with deep hatred for the Catholic Church. Viscious anti-Catholic freemason with deep hatred for the Catholic Church. Enacted even stricter anti- Catholic laws which came to be known as “Las Leyes Calles”. Enacted even stricter anti- Catholic laws which came to be known as “Las Leyes Calles”. How goal was to finish off the Church once and for all. How goal was to finish off the Church once and for all

Catholic Resistance Catholics began to resist, at first by peaceful political means. Catholics began to resist, at first by peaceful political means. A nationwide boycott was very effective. A nationwide boycott was very effective. a new law limiting the number of Catholic priests and making it a crime for a priest to criticize the actions of the government. a new law limiting the number of Catholic priests and making it a crime for a priest to criticize the actions of the government. President Calles ordered federal troops to use force throughout the country. President Calles ordered federal troops to use force throughout the country. Thousands of priests refused to abandon the faithful, and so became instant targets. Thousands of priests refused to abandon the faithful, and so became instant targets.

The Martyrs

Padre Luis Bátis Sáinz Parish priest in Chalchihuites, Zacatecas. Parish priest in Chalchihuites, Zacatecas. 15 August 1926: shot by a firing squad of federal troops. 15 August 1926: shot by a firing squad of federal troops. Was killed along with Salvador Lara, Manuel Morales, and David Roldán who was only 19 years old. Was killed along with Salvador Lara, Manuel Morales, and David Roldán who was only 19 years old.

Padre David Uribe Velasco Born: 29 December 1888 in Buenavista de Cuéllar, Guerrero. Born: 29 December 1888 in Buenavista de Cuéllar, Guerrero. Youngest of 11 children. Youngest of 11 children. Ordained priest in Ordained priest in Martyred: 12 April 1927 at 3am. Shot at the base of the skull. Martyred: 12 April 1927 at 3am. Shot at the base of the skull.

Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio 10 Feb 1928: Was 14 years old when he was killed for Cristo Rey! 10 Feb 1928: Was 14 years old when he was killed for Cristo Rey! Was arrested by federales and was told that if he rejected Christ he would go free. Was arrested by federales and was told that if he rejected Christ he would go free. He refused. He refused. The soldiers cut the bottom of his feet and made him walk to the cemetary. The soldiers cut the bottom of his feet and made him walk to the cemetary. He was shot to death. He was shot to death.

Betrayed

Cristeros Would’ve Won! President Calles offered a peace agreement. President Calles offered a peace agreement. Through the influence of the US State Department, most of the Bishops of Mexico convinced the Cristeros to come to Mexico City. Unarmed. Through the influence of the US State Department, most of the Bishops of Mexico convinced the Cristeros to come to Mexico City. Unarmed. As soon as the Cristeros arrived, they were ambushed and massacred by Federales. As soon as the Cristeros arrived, they were ambushed and massacred by Federales. Calles was voted out of office, and the Cristero War ended. Calles was voted out of office, and the Cristero War ended. Anti-Catholic laws still exist to this day. Anti-Catholic laws still exist to this day.

¡Viva Cristo Rey!