Anacleto González Flores

1888-1927 20th century

Forgiving the man who has just signed your death.

Who was Anacleto González Flores?

The son of a weaver from Jalisco, a lawyer, journalist and catechist, married and a father, he organized in Mexico an unarmed civil resistance to the closing of the churches: boycotts, clandestine schools, mimeographed newspapers. He consistently refused to take up arms, which earned him the nickname of the Mexican Gandhi, including from those who did take them up. Arrested on 1 April 1927, tortured and shot the same day, at thirty-eight.

In their own words

General, I forgive you with all my heart. Very soon we shall see each other before the judgement seat of God; the very judge who is about to judge me will be your judge; then you will have in me an intercessor before God.

Words addressed to the general who had ordered his death, Guadalajara, 1 April 1927, as reported by witnesses, translated from the Spanish by the Manna team

One thing only will I say: I have worked with no self-interest at all to defend the cause of Jesus Christ and of his Church. You will kill me, but know that the cause will not die with me.

His answer to the sentence, Guadalajara, 1 April 1927, as reported by witnesses, translated from the Spanish by the Manna team

I die, but God does not die.

The first clause of his last words, Guadalajara, 1 April 1927, as reported by witnesses, translated from the Spanish by the Manna team