Pastors Corner

The Cristero War

November 24, 2024

The Cristero War (Cristero in Spanish means soldier for Christ), was a widespread struggle in central and western Mexico from 1926 to 1929 in response to the implementation of secularist and anticlerical articles of the 1917 Constitution. The rebellion was instigated as a response to an executive decree by Mexican President Plutarco Elías Calles to strictly enforce Article 130 of the Constitution, a decision known as the Calles Law. Calles sought to limit the power of the Catholic Church in Mexico, its affiliated organizations and to suppress popular religiosity.

The rural uprising in north-central Mexico was tacitly supported by the Church hierarchy and was aided by urban Catholic supporters while the Mexican Army received support from the United States under the Harding and Coolidge administrations. American Ambassador Dwight Morrow brokered negotiations between the Calles government and the Church. The government made some concessions, the Church withdrew its support for the Cristero fighters, and the conflict ended in 1929. Many priests, along with laymen and women, have been beatified and canonized in recognition of their virtuous life and death in the context of this struggle. One example is that of Blessed Miguel Pro. 

On November 23 people of faith remember 20th-century martyr Blessed Miguel Pro, a Jesuit priest who died by firing squad on Nov. 23, 1927. His joy and courage in the face of execution are an example to all of us. Miguel Agustín Pro was born in 1891 and entered the Society of Jesus in 1911 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1925. While fulfilling his ministry and attempting to avoid governmental oppression authorities took advantage of an attempted assassination plot to arrest and charge Miguel Pro — ostensibly for the assassination attempt, but in reality for continuing to defend and spread the Catholic faith. Although Pro was innocent of any charges, President Calles gave orders that he should be executed by firing squad.

To the end, Father Pro embraced his faith. On Nov. 23, 1927, as Father Pro was led from his prison cell to the courtyard where the firing squad would take his life, he stopped and blessed the soldiers. He paused for a minute, knelt on the ground, and prayed quietly. Father Pro refused a blindfold, instead facing his executioners with a crucifix in one hand and a rosary in the other. He held out his arms in imitation of the crucified Christ and shouted out, “May God have mercy on you! May God bless you! Lord, Thou knowest I am innocent! With all my heart I forgive my enemies.” His last words before the firing squad were “Viva Cristo Rey” (“Long live Christ the King!”)

Perhaps the first Christian martyr of the contemporary era, Father Pro was photographed before the firing squad. Photos of his execution were widely circulated in the newspapers of the day; but the government’s plan to instill fear backfired, and instead others were inspired to remain staunch in their belief.

Much of this article comes from the National Catholic Register article: In Death as in Life, Blessed Miguel Pro Is an Inspiration

Two Parishes, One Heart

Fr. Adam