What a relief

Here’s a quick Mexican history lesson. We, the arrogant, ugly Americans can always use a little enlightenment. (Although I’m hearing complaints from activists that the new citizenship test is WAY too hard for immigrants, so maybe they should hit the books as well.)

Anyway, Father Miguel Hidalgo was a Catholic priest who “encouraged” the people of Mexico to rise up against the Spaniards and declare independence. This was in September of 1810, hence the Mexican Independence Day. (I’m seeing church and state WAY too close together here, but I’m not sure if the MCLU even exists.)

So anyway, the Catholic Church excommunicated Father Hidalgo. Depending on who you ask, he was either excommunicated for violence against other priests or rebellion against Spain.

All’s well that ends well. After extensive research the Catholic Church has determined that Hidalgo was reinstated as a member of the church via deathbed confession just prior to his execution in 1811. They wanted to get this mess all cleared up before the 200th anniversary of the revolution in 2010.

Just another tidbit of trivia here. Hidalgo was shot with three other rebels by the Spanish Army. They were on their way to the United States to seek protection from President Madison (some things never change) but they never made it. After execution, the heads of the four rebels were put on display in Guanajuato for ten years just to show people what happens when you fight the motherland.