100 Years After the Cristero War, Mexican Bishop Urges Catholics to Deepen Faith to Defend It

Marking 100 years since the Cristero War, a Mexican bishop urges Catholics to strengthen faith knowledge to defend religious values today.

Newsroom (22/04/2026 Gaudium Press ) One hundred years after the outbreak of the Cristero War, a defining and painful chapter in Mexico’s religious history, the Bishop of Zacatecas, Monsignor Sigifredo Noriega Barceló, is calling on Catholics to renew their understanding of the faith—not as a relic of the past, but as a living conviction that must be consciously defended.

Speaking in the context of the centenary commemorations, Bishop Noriega emphasized that remembrance must go beyond historical reflection. Instead, he urged the faithful to engage deeply with the beliefs that shaped the lives—and deaths—of those who came before them.

The Cristero War, also known as the Cristiada, erupted in 1926 after President Plutarco Elías Calles intensified enforcement of anti-clerical provisions in Mexico’s 1917 Constitution. These measures, formalized through the so-called Calles Law, imposed sweeping restrictions on religious practice and clergy. In response, Mexican bishops suspended public worship nationwide on July 31, 1926, a move that triggered a sharp escalation in tensions. The federal government retaliated with intensified persecution of Catholics, leading to a violent conflict that would leave a lasting mark on the nation.

According to the Mexican Episcopal Conference (CEM), the human cost of the conflict was immense. More than 200,000 people—men and women, children and the elderly, peasants, workers, professionals, clergy, and lay faithful—lost their lives defending their faith. Their stories, the bishop suggested, should not fade into distant memory.

During the 120th plenary assembly of the Mexican bishops, held from April 13 to 17, the Cristero War was a central topic of discussion. In an interview with ACI Prensa, Bishop Noriega explained that the Church is actively seeking to “recover the memory” of this period, not only to understand its historical significance but also to examine its relevance today.

For the bishop, one of the key areas of reflection lies in the values that drove so many to remain steadfast in the face of persecution. He pointed out that those who lived through the conflict demonstrated a level of fidelity that extended to the willingness to risk—and ultimately give—their lives.

Yet, a century later, he expressed concern that such conviction may not be as deeply rooted among many Catholics today. “It seems that for many, the religious principles that govern our lives are not so solid,” he observed, underscoring the need for stronger faith formation and a renewed engagement with the events that shaped the Church in Mexico.

From this perspective, Bishop Noriega distilled what he believes would be the enduring message of those who defended the faith during the Cristero War: “Defend your faith by getting to know it better.”

He stressed that history serves as both a guide and a warning. By examining what unfolded during the Cristiada—what succeeded and what failed—the faithful can gain insight into how to safeguard religious freedom in the present without repeating the violence of the past. The goal, he said, is to ensure that it is never again necessary to take up arms to defend fundamental beliefs and values.

In closing, the bishop called for a renewed sense of admiration and gratitude for those who endured persecution. Their sacrifice, he noted, was not only about preserving a set of beliefs but about defending a way of life that touched the very core of human identity and dignity.

As Mexico marks a century since the Cristero War, the message emerging from the Church is clear: remembrance must lead to understanding, and understanding must lead to a more conscious, informed, and resilient faith.

• Raju Hasmukh with files from ACi Prensa

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