The Cristero WarThe Cristero WarThe Persecution of the The Persecution of the

Catholic Church in Catholic Church in MexicoMexico

1926-19291926-1929

Prelude to PersecutionPrelude to Persecution

The end of the Revolution in The end of the Revolution in 19171917 brought brought about a series of changes in Mexican law.about a series of changes in Mexican law.

The new vision of “justice” and “peace” meant The new vision of “justice” and “peace” meant that the Catholic Church needed to be that the Catholic Church needed to be removedremoved from active social life. from active social life.

The Anti-Catholic laws meant that the Church The Anti-Catholic laws meant that the Church was now an was now an enemyenemy of the new Republic of of the new Republic of Mexico.Mexico.

Mexico was 99% Catholic at the time.Mexico was 99% Catholic at the time. The new government, however, was led by The new government, however, was led by

power-hungry power-hungry masonsmasons and and socialistssocialists..

Anti-Catholic Laws of 1917Anti-Catholic Laws of 1917 Catholic schools were closed; all children Catholic schools were closed; all children

had to be educated in state schools.had to be educated in state schools. Monastic orders had no legal rightsMonastic orders had no legal rights Public worship was forbidden outside of Public worship was forbidden outside of

churches.churches. Severe restrictions to catholic church Severe restrictions to catholic church

ownership of property.ownership of property. Priests were denied basic civil rights.Priests were denied basic civil rights. Catholic marriage no longer had the force Catholic marriage no longer had the force

of law.of law. Priests and nuns could not wear religious Priests and nuns could not wear religious

clothing/habits in public.clothing/habits in public.

Masonic IdealsMasonic Ideals FreemasonryFreemasonry: a : a

secret society which secret society which has as a goal the has as a goal the “universal brotherhood “universal brotherhood of mankind.”of mankind.”

Old paganism mixed Old paganism mixed with “enlightenment” with “enlightenment” ideals. From the ideals. From the beginning, masonry beginning, masonry saw the Catholic saw the Catholic Church as the greatest Church as the greatest obstacle to a one obstacle to a one world government, world government, aka, a New World aka, a New World Order.Order.

Plutarco Elias CallesPlutarco Elias Calles Becomes president in Becomes president in

19261926 Viscious anti-Catholic Viscious anti-Catholic

freemason with deep freemason with deep hatred for the Catholic hatred for the Catholic Church.Church.

Enacted even stricter Enacted even stricter anti-Catholic laws which anti-Catholic laws which came to be known as came to be known as “Las Leyes Calles”.“Las Leyes Calles”.

How goal was to finish How goal was to finish off the Church once and off the Church once and for all.for all.

1877-1945

Catholic ResistanceCatholic Resistance Catholics began to resist, at first by Catholics began to resist, at first by

peaceful political means.peaceful political means. A nationwide boycott was very effective.A nationwide boycott was very effective. a new law limiting the number of a new law limiting the number of

Catholic priests and making it a crime Catholic priests and making it a crime for a priest to criticize the actions of the for a priest to criticize the actions of the government.government.

President Calles ordered federal troops President Calles ordered federal troops to use force throughout the country.to use force throughout the country.

Thousands of priests refused to Thousands of priests refused to abandon the faithful, and so became abandon the faithful, and so became instant targets.instant targets.

The MartyrsThe Martyrs

Padre Luis Bátis SáinzPadre Luis Bátis Sáinz Parish priest in Parish priest in

Chalchihuites, Chalchihuites, Zacatecas.Zacatecas.

15 August 192615 August 1926: : shot by a firing squad shot by a firing squad of federal troops.of federal troops.

Was killed along with Was killed along with Salvador LaraSalvador Lara, , Manuel MoralesManuel Morales, and , and David RoldánDavid Roldán who who was only 19 years old.was only 19 years old.

Padre David Uribe Padre David Uribe VelascoVelasco

BornBorn: 29 December : 29 December 1888 in Buenavista 1888 in Buenavista de Cuéllar, Guerrero.de Cuéllar, Guerrero.

Youngest of 11 Youngest of 11 children.children.

Ordained priest in Ordained priest in 1913.1913.

MartyredMartyred: 12 April : 12 April 1927 at 3am. Shot at 1927 at 3am. Shot at the base of the skull.the base of the skull.

Jose Luis Sanchez del RioJose Luis Sanchez del Rio 10 Feb 192810 Feb 1928: Was 14 : Was 14

years old when he was years old when he was killed for Cristo Rey!killed for Cristo Rey!

Was arrested by Was arrested by federales and was told federales and was told that if he rejected Christ that if he rejected Christ he would go free.he would go free.

He refused.He refused. The soldiers cut the The soldiers cut the

bottom of his feet and bottom of his feet and made him walk to the made him walk to the cemetary.cemetary.

He was shot to death.He was shot to death.

BetrayedBetrayed

Cristeros Would’ve Won!Cristeros Would’ve Won! President Calles offered a peace President Calles offered a peace

agreement.agreement. Through the influence of the US State Through the influence of the US State

Department, most of the Bishops of Department, most of the Bishops of Mexico convinced the Cristeros to come to Mexico convinced the Cristeros to come to Mexico City. Unarmed.Mexico City. Unarmed.

As soon as the Cristeros arrived, they were As soon as the Cristeros arrived, they were ambushed and massacred by Federales.ambushed and massacred by Federales.

Calles was voted out of office, and the Calles was voted out of office, and the Cristero War ended.Cristero War ended.

Anti-Catholic laws still exist to this day.Anti-Catholic laws still exist to this day.

¡Viva Cristo Rey!¡Viva Cristo Rey!