Arturo Lona Reyes
Encyclopedia
Arturo Lona Reyes is the former Catholic bishop
from Tehuantepec
, Oaxaca
, Mexico
. He served in his position for 30 years before resigning from his diocese in 2001.
Arturo Lona Reyes was asked to resign in 1998, in response Reyes claimed he was being asked to resign due to his support for liberation theology
, which advocated economic and political freedom as a means to ensure spiritual freedom. Reyes went on to state Pope John Paul II
and Archbishop Jeronimo Prigione were attempting to replace all Mexico bishops that support liberation theology, citing 86 of 100 of the Mexican bishops at the time had been replaced. Reyes went on to proclaim that he would only resign if the Pope requested it of him personally in the presence of two witnesses, later stating:
In response to Reyes's accusations, Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Justo Mullor, cited canonical law
which stated a bishop was to resign at the age of 75, further accusations were made by Prigione, stating Reyes failed to submit reports to the Vatican
since 1971.
and murderer, stating Reyes had engaged in gun-running, fomenting political instability and aiding guerrilla movements. These accusations stemmed from Reyes support of the Coalition of Workers, Peasants, and Students of the Isthmus
(COCEI), which the government believed Reyes support directly influenced the groups rapid growth. For instance, In May 1979, Reyes was asked on behalf of COCEI family members who went missing or were taken prisoner, to assist in securing their release, something the government did not look favorably on. In response to the accusation and the Reyes-COCEI relationship, the government closed churches and expelled diocesan workers. The government however failed to provide any evidence show a direct link between Reyes and the actions of the COCEI.
On June 29, 1995, gunmen opened fire on Reyes in an assassination attempt. The attack was believed to have been brought on due to his role as chairperson of the Tepeyac Human Rights Centre in Tehuantepec.
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
from Tehuantepec
Tehuantepec
Tehuantepec is a city and municipality in the southeast of the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It is part of the Tehuantepec District in the west of the Istmo Region. The area was important in pre Hispanic period as part of a trade route that connected Central America with what is now the center of...
, Oaxaca
Oaxaca
Oaxaca , , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Oaxaca is one of the 31 states which, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided into 571 municipalities; of which 418 are governed by the system of customs and traditions...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. He served in his position for 30 years before resigning from his diocese in 2001.
Tehuantepec diocese
Reyes joined the church in Tehuantepec in 1971. From his early days Reyes began to introduce a more radical critique of the social situations in the surrounding areas. Behind Reyes teachings and beliefs were the teachings of Vatican II, and supporting the creation of a Popular Church, more designed to assist the poor and seek social justice for those in need.Arturo Lona Reyes was asked to resign in 1998, in response Reyes claimed he was being asked to resign due to his support for liberation theology
Liberation theology
Liberation theology is a Christian movement in political theology which interprets the teachings of Jesus Christ in terms of a liberation from unjust economic, political, or social conditions...
, which advocated economic and political freedom as a means to ensure spiritual freedom. Reyes went on to state Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
and Archbishop Jeronimo Prigione were attempting to replace all Mexico bishops that support liberation theology, citing 86 of 100 of the Mexican bishops at the time had been replaced. Reyes went on to proclaim that he would only resign if the Pope requested it of him personally in the presence of two witnesses, later stating:
In response to Reyes's accusations, Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Justo Mullor, cited canonical law
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
which stated a bishop was to resign at the age of 75, further accusations were made by Prigione, stating Reyes failed to submit reports to the Vatican
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
since 1971.
COCEI
The resignation request was the culmination of many accusations having been made in recent years. Reyes had previously complained of accusation made against him, citing him as a Marxist guerrillaGuerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare and refers to conflicts in which a small group of combatants including, but not limited to, armed civilians use military tactics, such as ambushes, sabotage, raids, the element of surprise, and extraordinary mobility to harass a larger and...
and murderer, stating Reyes had engaged in gun-running, fomenting political instability and aiding guerrilla movements. These accusations stemmed from Reyes support of the Coalition of Workers, Peasants, and Students of the Isthmus
Coalition of Workers, Peasants, and Students of the Isthmus
The Coalition of Workers, Peasants, and Students of the Isthmus is a Mexican socialist political organization in Juchitán, Oaxaca. Founded in 1973/1974, it supports agrarian reform, and workers rights...
(COCEI), which the government believed Reyes support directly influenced the groups rapid growth. For instance, In May 1979, Reyes was asked on behalf of COCEI family members who went missing or were taken prisoner, to assist in securing their release, something the government did not look favorably on. In response to the accusation and the Reyes-COCEI relationship, the government closed churches and expelled diocesan workers. The government however failed to provide any evidence show a direct link between Reyes and the actions of the COCEI.
On June 29, 1995, gunmen opened fire on Reyes in an assassination attempt. The attack was believed to have been brought on due to his role as chairperson of the Tepeyac Human Rights Centre in Tehuantepec.