Bishop Barron on "For Greater Glory"

Summary

The script discusses the film 'For Greater Glory,' set in 1920s Mexico during a period of anti-Catholic persecution led by President Plutarco Elías Calles. It portrays the suffering of clergy and the rise of the Cristero Rebellion, led by a general played by Andy Garcia. The emotional core lies in the relationship between the general and young José, who joins the rebellion after witnessing the execution of a priest. The film highlights the power of faith and nonviolent resistance, culminating in José's martyrdom with the rallying cry 'Viva Cristo Rey,' echoing the central message of the kingdom of God and the triumph of love over violence.

Takeaways

• 🎬 The film 'For Greater Glory' is set in the 1920s in Mexico, depicting a time of intense persecution against the Catholic faith by the government.
• 🚫 President Plutarco Elas Calles enforced laws that banned religious ceremonies, exiled bishops, and prohibited priests and nuns from wearing religious attire.
• 🔫 Resistance to these oppressive laws led to priests and citizens being tortured, imprisoned, and in some cases, executed.
• 👨‍🦳 The movie features a moving scene with the death of Father Christopher, played by Peter O'Toole, who chooses to stay in church and is executed by soldiers.
• 📰 A newspaper editor, portrayed by Eduardo Verastegui, also resists the government's actions through speeches and articles, ultimately facing execution.
• 🛡 The Cristero Rebellion emerges as an armed response to the persecution, initially disorganized but later led by a general played by Andy Garcia, forming the 'Cristo Army'.
• 👦 The emotional core of the film is the relationship between the general and a young boy named Jose, who joins the Cristero movement after witnessing Father Christopher's execution.
• 💔 Jose is captured, tortured, and ultimately killed for refusing to renounce his faith, proclaiming 'Viva Cristo Rey' (Long Live Christ the King).
• 📸 The film concludes with a brief reconstruction of the death of Padre Pro, the first martyrdom in church history to be photographed, who also died with the phrase 'Viva Cristo Rey'.
• 🕊️ The script discusses the power of nonviolence and the message of Jesus' kingdom, contrasting it with the violent kingdoms of the world.
• ✝️ The central theme of the script is the triumph of God's love and nonviolence over the world's powers of hatred and violence, as represented by the phrase 'Viva Cristo Rey'.

Q & A

What is the historical period depicted in the film 'For Greater Glory'?

The film 'For Greater Glory' deals with the period in Mexican history during the 1920s.

Who was the president of Mexico during the time of the oppressive government against the Catholic faith?

The president during this time was Plutarco Elías Calles.

What laws were enforced by President Plutarco Elías Calles that affected the Catholic faith?

President Calles enforced laws embedded in the Mexican Constitution of 1917, which banned religious ceremonies, exiled bishops, and disallowed priests and nuns from wearing religious habits.

What was the impact of the government's actions on priests and those who resisted?

Priests and people who resisted were tortured, imprisoned, and in some cases, killed outright.

Can you describe the scene involving Father Christopher in the movie?

Father Christopher, played by Peter O'Toole, is executed by soldiers after he refuses to resist or run away, choosing instead to sit in church in his Mass vestment.

What is the significance of the phrase 'Viva Cristo Rey' in the movie?

The phrase 'Viva Cristo Rey' or 'Long Live Christ the King' is the central motto of the Cristero movement and is heard throughout the movie on the lips of many characters.

What is the significance of the character played by Eduardo Verástegui in the movie?

Eduardo Verástegui plays a newspaper editor who resists the government's oppressive movement through speeches and newspaper articles, ultimately being put to death for his resistance.

What is the 'Cristero Rebellion' mentioned in the script?

The Cristero Rebellion was an armed uprising that emerged in response to the intense persecution of the Catholic faith, starting as disorganized bands of guerrilla warriors and later being organized into an efficient fighting force.

Who is the character played by Andy Garcia in the movie?

Andy Garcia plays a general who organizes the disorganized bands of the Cristero Rebellion into the Cristo Army.

What is the emotional heart of the movie?

The emotional heart of the movie is the relationship between the general and a 12-year-old boy named Jose, who joins the Cristero movement after witnessing the execution of Father Christopher.

What is the significance of the character Jose's actions in the movie?

Jose, after being captured and tortured, resists the oppressors by affirming his faith and shouting 'Viva Cristo Rey' before being put to death, symbolizing the power of nonviolent resistance.

What is the connection between the movie and the teachings of the Bible?

The movie reflects the central teaching of Christianity, as described by N.T. Wright, where the reign of God, symbolized by 'Viva Cristo Rey', represents the kingdom of God being at hand and the ultimate victory over the powers of the world through nonviolence and compassion.

How does the movie relate to the broader theme of the kingdom of God in the New Testament?

The movie echoes the New Testament theme of the kingdom of God by showing the opposition of worldly kingdoms based on hatred and violence to the new form of life and kingship represented by Jesus, who overcomes these through nonviolence and love.

What is the message of the church as depicted in the movie?

The message of the church in the movie is that there is a new king, Jesus Christ, whose kingship is established through love and nonviolence, and that the church faces down the opposition of the world with this message.

Why has the church canonized and beatified those who resisted nonviolently in the Cristero Rebellion?

The church has recognized the power of nonviolent resistance, canonizing and beatifying those like little Jose and the newspaper editor, who resisted the oppressive government through nonviolence, as a testament to the power of the Cross and the love of God.