Mexican church to review cases of excommunicated independence heroes

Published: 2007-10-16

MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- The Archdiocese of Mexico City has formed a special commission to review the cases of two independence heroes and former priests who were excommunicated for taking up arms against the Spanish empire in the 19th century. The re-evaluation of Fathers Miguel Hidalgo Costilla, considered the father of the Mexican nation, and Jose Maria Morelos, who waged a guerrilla war against the Spanish, could help mend old rifts between the Roman Catholic Church and Mexican nationalists, said Father Hugo Valdemar, spokesman for the archdiocese. "These are icons for the Mexican people, and it is important that we clarify the church's position toward them," Father Valdemar told Catholic News Service Oct. 15. The commission will look at evidence that could prove the excommunication of both priests by the Spanish Inquisition was invalidated before their deaths, Father Valdemar said.

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