Between heaven and earth
Between light and dark
Between faith and sin
Lies only my heart
Lies God and only my heart

–          Opening Poem, For Greater Glory; Movie depicting the Cristero War

The Cristero War or the Cristero Rebellion (1926–29), also known as La Cristiada, was a widespread struggle in central-western Mexico in response to the imposition of secularist and anti-clerical articles of the 1917 Constitution of Mexico, which were perceived by opponents as anti-Catholic measures aimed at imposing state atheism.

Saints and Sinners in ... Murphy, James Best Price: $13.50 Buy New $13.24 (as of 04:41 UTC - Details) President Plutarco Elías Calles of Mexico moved to enforce certain articles of the Mexican Constitution, articles aimed at eliminating the power of the Catholic Church and suppressing popular religious celebrations.  The ensuing conflict pitted the Mexican army against tens-of-thousands of armed civilians.

These civilians included a women’s brigade, known as the Feminine Brigades of St. Joan of Arc, who assisted the rebels in smuggling guns and ammunition.  At its height, upwards of 25,000 women were reported to be involved in its activity.  The civilians also consisted of priests, who were tortured and murdered in public (and later canonized by Pope John Paul II).

The American Knights of Columbus collected more than $1 million to assist exiles from Mexico, to continue the education of expelled seminarians and to inform citizens of the US about oppression.  High-ranking members of the Ku Klux Klan offered President Calles $10,000 to help fight the Catholic Church.

Pope Pius XI would issue three papal encyclicals on this matter between 1925–37.  In these, he denounced the actions of the Mexican government, yet asked the Church in Mexico to abide by the orders ceasing all services.  He also called for an end to the armed rebellion.  Let’s just say that some of the rebellious faithful failed to comply.

La Cristiada: The Mexi... Meyer, Jean Best Price: $18.00 Buy New $29.95 (as of 04:41 UTC - Details) The movie is wonderful, and worth watching.  At Amazon, from over 1,000 reviews, it receives 4.8 / 5.0 rating.  Count me among the 5.0.  In the reviews, there are many comments in favor of standing up to religious oppression, of stories from descendants of those who lived and fought during this period of Mexican history, and of what happens when government works to stand in the place of God.

Many of these reviews were written even as recently as the last couple of years.

Conclusion

The Battle Hymn of the Cristeros ended with the line “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” – Long live Christ the King!

Today we have king corona.  It is amazing what a little bug can do.

Reprinted with permission from Bionic Mosquito.

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