Prof. Jacek Bartyzel in Warsaw. 100 years of the Cristiada and the history of the Catholic counter-revolution in Mexico
On 27 August 2026 another meeting in the “Voice of Independence” series will take place at the “Kuźnia” Youth Education Centre in Warsaw. The guest of the event will be Prof. Jacek Bartyzel, who will talk about the Cristiada in Mexico, one of the most important Catholic uprisings of the 20th century.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the Cristiada. It is an excellent opportunity to recall the history of people who, in defence of their faith and the Church, stood against the anti-clerical policy of the Mexican state.
The Cristiada in Mexico. Catholics against the revolution
In 1926 a conflict began in Mexico that went down in history as the Cristiada, also called the Cristero uprising.
The Mexican authorities at that time pursued a radical policy directed against the Catholic Church. The activity of the clergy and religious orders was restricted, churches and Catholic schools were closed, and the state sought to remove religion from public life.
For many Mexicans this meant crossing a boundary they could not accept.
Thousands of the faithful, both clergy and laity, became involved in the resistance movement. Some of them took up arms.
Thus the Cristero movement was born.
“¡Viva Cristo Rey!”
The cry of the insurgents became:
“¡Viva Cristo Rey!”, that is “Long live Christ the King!”
It was not merely a political slogan. For the participants of the Cristiada it was above all a declaration of faith and of readiness to defend the right to live according to their own convictions.
Many Cristeros paid the highest price for this stance.
Today their history has become a symbol of Catholic resistance against attempts to subordinate the Church and religious life to the revolutionary state.
100 years of the Cristiada. Lecture by Prof. Jacek Bartyzel
On the centenary of the beginning of the Cristero uprising we want to recall both the course of events itself and their political, religious and ideological significance.
Our guest will be Prof. Jacek Bartyzel, historian of ideas, political scientist and researcher of traditionalism, monarchism, counter-revolution and the history of right-wing movements.
During the meeting the professor will talk about the causes of the Cristiada, the political situation in Mexico and the conflict between the Catholic part of society and the anti-clerical state.
We will also look at the phenomenon of the Cristeros, their most important figures and the place that the Cristiada in Mexico occupies in the history of Catholic resistance against the revolutionary ideologies of the 20th century.
Why is it worth knowing this history?
The Cristiada remains in Poland an event much less known than many European conflicts of the 20th century.
At the same time it is difficult to understand the history of political Catholicism and counter-revolutionary movements without knowing the experience of the Mexican Cristeros.
The meeting will be an opportunity to learn not only historical facts. It will also allow us to look at the Cristiada as a conflict concerning the place of religion in the state, the limits of political power and the right of a community to defend its own identity and faith.
Where and when will the meeting take place?
Date: 27 August 2026
Time: 18:00
Place: “Kuźnia” Youth Education Centre, ul. Stawki 4B in Warsaw
Admission free.
After the end of the meeting there will also be an integration of participants.
Voice of Independence
The event is organised within the framework of the “Voice of Independence” series.
The organisers of the meeting are:
“Independence March” Association
We invite all those interested in history, political thought, Catholicism and the history of counter-revolutionary movements.
Link to the event on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/4gGmgD0JI
Let us meet on 27 August at 18:00 at Warsaw’s Kuźnia. On the centenary of the outbreak of the Cristiada let us recall the history of people for whom the words “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” became a testimony of faith, courage and fidelity to their own principles.
Support the development of “Voice of Independence”
Such meetings can take place thanks to the involvement of people who care about cultivating historical memory, developing Polish political thought and creating a space for serious debate. If you believe that this activity makes sense, add your contribution to the organisation of successive events, lectures and meetings. Every support helps us invite valuable speakers, reach a wider audience and develop further initiatives.
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