The Cristeros and the Autonomy of the Laity: The Day Mexico Taught Rome

Context and full text of the League’s petition to the Episcopate (1926)

On page 102 of La contrarrevolución cristera, by Javier Olivera Ravasi, a key moment of the Cristero epic is recorded: the joint assembly convened by the National League for the Defense of Religious Freedom on November 26, 1926, in the midst of persecution. It was the mature expression of a laity that—without breaking obedience—assumed its historical responsibility. Decades before the Council, those Mexicans understood that the defense of the faith is not delegated.

The document presented then to the Episcopate—the League’s Petition—is not a rant of rebels, but a piece of integral Catholicism: unity, formation of consciences, legitimacy of defense, chaplaincy for the combatants, and material sustenance of the cause. Below, the full text.

League’s Petition to the Episcopate (1926)

Never in the history of our country has the collective conscience been formed in the sense of an armed resistance. This movement cannot and should not be ignored by the episcopate, for, whether one likes it or not, the banner of combat raised is that of religious freedom and the cry of ¡Viva Cristo Rey! is inevitable. The movement cannot be condemned because it is the grave case of legitimate defense of the most precious rights and interests. If the movement were resisted, the only thing achieved would be to corrupt it and create a feeling of displeasure against the Episcopate and weaken all defensive action, even the peaceful one.

Taking these considerations into account, with all reverence we request from the Episcopate:

A negative action, consisting of not condemning the movement;

A positive action, consisting of:

Maintaining the unity of action, through conformity to the same plan and the same leader;

Forming the collective conscience, by the means at the Episcopate’s disposal, in the sense that it is a praiseworthy, meritorious action of legitimate armed defense;

Canonically appointing military vicars;

Urging and sponsoring a collection energetically developed among wealthy Catholics, so that they provide funds destined for the struggle, and that, at least once in their lives, they understand the obligation they have to contribute.

Why it matters today

Read a century later, the petition shows a laity capable of articulating principles, strategy, and morals amid the fire. It is also an invitation to understand that the responsible autonomy of the laity was not born in a conciliar classroom, but in the real life of the faithful who defended the freedom of the Church.

For further reading

The book by Javier Olivera Ravasi, La contrarrevolución cristera. The history of the Catholics who rose up against the persecution. Mexico 1926–1929, offers a rigorous and vibrant panorama of the Cristero War, with documents, context, and profiles of the protagonists. Ed. Homo Legens, Madrid, 2025. ISBN: 978-84-19349-87-3

Main source: La contrarrevolución cristera, by Javier Olivera Ravasi. Reference of the event and text of the petition, p. 102 (assembly of November 26, 1926); editorial data, pages of credits and index.