José Reyes Vega was a Mexican priest who participated in the
Cristero War
The Cristero War ( es, Guerra Cristera), also known as the Cristero Rebellion or es, La Cristiada, label=none, italics=no , was a widespread struggle in central and western Mexico from 1 August 1926 to 21 June 1929 in response to the implementa ...
as a general. He was known as "Father Vega".
On April 19, 1927, an event took place that almost succeeded in extinguishing the revolution. He led a raid against a train in
La Barca, Jalisco
La Barca is a town and municipality in the Mexican state of Jalisco, and is about an hour and 20 minutes from the state capital
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, said to be carrying a shipment of money. In a shootout that followed with the army escort, Vega's younger brother was killed. Maddened with grief, he had the wooden cars doused with gasoline, and 51 civilian passengers were burned alive. An atypical priest, Vega was known as a drinker and womanizer as well as well for his murderous behaviour. After one engagement, he had federal prisoners stabbed to death to save ammunition. The atrocity helped to turn public opinion against the Cristeros.
The Cristeros mounted an attack on Guadalajara in late March. Though it failed, the rebels won a smashing victory at the
Battle of Tepatitlán against
Saturnino Cedillo
Saturnino Cedillo Martínez (November 29, 1890 in Ciudad del Maíz, San Luis Potosí - January 11, 1939 in Sierra Ventana, San Luis Potosí) was a Mexican politician who participated in the Mexican Revolution and the Cristero War. He was governor ...
, in the heart of Los Altos, on April 19. Vega, who designed the plan that won the victory, was killed in the engagement.
See also
*
Cristero War
The Cristero War ( es, Guerra Cristera), also known as the Cristero Rebellion or es, La Cristiada, label=none, italics=no , was a widespread struggle in central and western Mexico from 1 August 1926 to 21 June 1929 in response to the implementa ...
*
Battle of Tepatitlán
*
For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada, 2012 film by
Dean Wright
Dean Wright (born May 15, 1962) is a film director and visual effects supervisor, best known for his work on ''The Lord of the Rings'' film trilogy and '' The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe''.
Biography
Michigan-bor ...
References
External links
*
PDF*
* http://www.ansac.az.gov/UserFiles/PDF/05082014/X007_DocsJGBrady/VerdeX007.pdf
* https://www.kofc.org/en/resources/college-programs/10559-for-greater-glory-study-guide.pdf
* https://carmelcommunications.com/saints-and-sinners-in-the-cristero-war/
*
Los Cristeros y Los Bragados*
*
Cristero War
1929 deaths
Year of birth missing
Mexican priests
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