Movie “For Greater Glory” reminds us about freedom

I'd been waiting for an opportunity to see the movie “For Greater Glory”, and it came Sunday at a movie house in Sunnyside.

It was stunning and emotional and easily worth the price of admission. Everyone in attendance remained glued to their seats and watched the closing credits until the screen went dark.

As I approached the exit, old friend Roy Elizondo called out my name. I greeted him, and he asked what I thought.

It touched on all of my emotions, I said, and it reminded me that you can lose your own religious freedom if you're not vigilant.

“That's happening right now,” Roy said.

It could be, I agreed. It all depends on how vigorously the Catholic Church fights an attempt by the Obama administration to force it to alter its stand against contraception and abortion.

“For Greater Glory” is the story of the little known Cristero War fought in Mexico between 1926 and 1929. It was triggered by the election of an atheist president who decided to enforce a ban on all religion, particularly the Catholic Church.

Catholics did not take the president's police threats and actions lying down. First they protested and petitioned. When that didn't work, they took up arms.

Eventually Catholics had an army the breadth and width of the country. Their battle cry was “Que Viva Cristo Rey” or “Long Live Christ the King.”

After three years and about 90,000 dead, the government gave in and agreed to drop enforcement.

I'd known for many years that the Catholic Church was banned in Mexico. But I didn't know about the Cristero War until word started to spread about the movie. I expected a cheap, independent effort, but it was spectacular from beginning to end.

One of the most interesting characters in this true story was played by Andy Garcia. He was a decorated, retired general of the Mexican Army.

Garcia's character agreed to be commander-in-chief of the Cristeros for pay. Some sources say he was atheist, others that he was just short of atheist.

However, his wife (Eva Longoria) was devout and was raising their daughters in the Catholic tradition. When other generals among the Cristeros asked him why he took the position for pay he'd probably never see, he said: “I believe in freedom of religion.”

That got my attention. I asked myself if I would fight and possibly die for freedom of religion. I hope I never have to answer that question.

I hope the Catholic Church keeps its back up. Giving an inch now could lead to a mile or more later and such a conflict. Mexico's history is proof of that.

Oh by the way, that atheist general grew in his faith the more he fought. He eventually went to confession with a priest who was one of his generals.

Everyone of his greetings, coming and going, included “Que Viva Cristo Rey.”