For Greater Glory, a movie about the persecution of the Catholic Church in Mexico in the 1920’s which debuted this weekend, prompted Los Angeles’ Bishop Jose Gomez to call the film’s message “timely” because it reminds embattled American Catholics that religious liberties must never be taken for granted.

Andy Garcia in For Greater Glory - Photo by Hana Matsumoto

The movie, which stars Eva Longoria and Andy Garcia, details the persecution of the Catholic Church which took place in the 1920’s by the government of President Putarco Elias Calles. In an effort to stamp out Catholicism, hundreds of priests were killed simply for carrying out their priestly duties, with many of them murdered by the Mexican army while saying Mass. Churches, seminaries and convents were seized, desecrated and destroyed. All public displays of piety were outlawed.

Calles, who bragged about how many priests he’d killed, was certain he could not only wipe out the Church, but erase the memory of Christ from Mexico.

But he was wrong.

Instead, his savage persecution inspired Catholics to become cristeros, courageous defenders of Jesus Christ, many of whom were martyred for the faith. Some cristeros took up arms to fight what became known as the Cristero War, while others chose peaceful methods to bear witness to Christ.

“For many years, this period of history has been all but forgotten on both sides of the border,” said Carl Anderson, head of the Knights of Columbus, and organization that was very much involved in trying to end the persecution when it was taking place decades ago.

“This year, with the release of For Greater Glory, the story of the struggle for religious freedom in Mexico will begin to be told. With religious freedom now an important issue of discussion here in the United States, every American who values faith and freedom should see this film.”

Los Angeles’ Archbishop Jose Gomez could not agree more and is calling upon atholics to learn from the example of the Cristeros.

“As it always has been, today our Catholic religion is under attack in places all over the world. In Mexico and America, we don’t face suffering and death for practicing our faith. But we do confront ‘softer’ forms of secularist bullying.”

Increasing secularization has found too many Catholics accepting the “rules” and restrictions being imposed by society, afraid of “imposing” our beliefs on others, especially in the political realm.

“In recent months, our government has started demanding even more — trying to coerce our consciences so that we deny our religious identity and values. We need to ask for the strength to be Cristeros. By their dying, they show us what we should be living for. We need to make that our prayer: that like the Cristeros we might be always ready to love and sacrifice in order to stand up for Jesus and his Church.”

Archbishop Gomez hosted a red-carpet premier of the film in Los Angeles on May 31 where he welcomed Hollywood starts along with Catholic leaders, clergy and religious to a reception at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. After a screening of the film which inspired spontaneous chants of “Viva Cristo Rey!” the courageous last words of martryred priest Blessed Miguel Pro, the Archbishop spoke about the role the city played during the time of the persecution.

“Los Angeles’ connection to the events and people portrayed in FOR GREATER GLORY is well-documented,” he said. “The Archdiocese of Los Angeles supported the beleaguered Church in Mexico, speaking out in defense of religious liberty and against government oppression. Los Angeles also welcomed thousands of refugees from the war, many of whom became founding parishioners of parishes in the eastern part of our city. And so, I am pleased and proud to host the film’s world premiere.”

He also introduced Southern California resident and Mexican native Maria Meza, who lost her father in the Cristero War, and presented her with an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

For Greater Glory is the product of Mexican producer Pablo Jose Barroso, a successful businessman who started Dos Corazones Films after a powerful reversion to Catholicism. The company produces faith-based films in order to further Blessed John Paul II’s call for a new evangelization.

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