Arturo Lona Reyes
Arturo Lona Reyes (November 1, 1925 – October 31, 2020) was a Mexican bishop who served as the Catholic bishop from Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. He served in his position for 30 years before resigning from his diocese in 2001.[1]
Early life
Reyes was born on November 1, 1925 in Aguascalientes. He became a Roman Catholic priest in 1952.[2]
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.[3] In 1972 he presided over the Episcopal Commission for Indigenous People. To benefit local producers he established two agricultural co-operatives, with profits shared equally between members. One exporting organic coffee to Europe and another to sell sesame.[2]
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.[1] 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,[1] later stating:
"I have been putting up with humiliating behavior from these people for 27 years, then they suddenly requested my resignation, but I did not agree. I will not resign. It would be like betraying my people, the priests, and nuns, the women, men, young people, and children,"
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.[4]
He was appointed bishop emeritus in 2000. In 2008 he received the 16th Don Sergio Méndez Arceo National Human Rights Award.[2] He was famous for wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and huaraches and a large wooden cross on his chest.[5]
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 guerrilla and murderer,[6] 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 directly influenced the group's rapid growth.[7] 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.[8] 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 to show a direct link between Reyes and the actions of the COCEI.[7]
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.[9] He was famous for providing advice to indigenous peoples resisting mining, wind and timber projects on their land.[2] In all he was physically attacked 11 times.[5]
Death
Reyes was admitted to Médica Azul hospital, in Lagunas, Oaxaca with a spinal complaint in Mid-October. On the third day in hospital he was diagnosed with COVID-19, which was dangerous due to his pre-existing diabetes.[5] Reyes died of COVID-19 on October 31, 2020 in the Médica Azul hospital of Lagunas, Oaxaca.[10] Reyes was cremated the same day as his death and his ashes placed in a glass cabinet in front of the main altar of Tehuantepec Cathedral until his funeral on 3 November.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Allen, John L. (2001). Pope Benedict XVI: A Biography of Joseph Ratzinger. Continuum International Publishing Group. p. 170. ISBN 0-8264-1361-7.
- ^ a b c d e "Aristegui Noticias". Aristegui Noticias (in Spanish). 1 November 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ^ Cleary, Edward L.; Timothy J. Steigenga (2004). Resurgent Voices in Latin America: Indigenous Peoples, Political Mobilization, and Religious Change. Rutgers University Press. pp. 154, 160. ISBN 0-8135-3461-5.
- ^ "Mexican Bishop Refuses To Resign From Diocese". Catholic World News. October 9, 1998. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
- ^ a b c Manzo, Diana (1 November 2020). "Pesar por la partida de Arturo Lona - Estados - La Jornada". La Jornada (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ^ Camp, Roderic Ai (1997). Crossing Swords: Politics and Religion in Mexico. Oxford University Press US. pp. 218, 273, 274, 316. ISBN 0-19-510784-5.
- ^ a b Grayson, George W. (1990). Prospects for Democracy in Mexico. Transaction Publishers. pp. 119, 120. ISBN 0-88738-809-4.
- ^ Rubin, Jeffrey W. (1997). Decentering the Regime: Ethnicity, Radicalism, and Democracy in Juchitán, Mexico. Duke University Press. pp. 141. ISBN 0-8223-2063-0.
- ^ Central America: International human rights day: Amnesty International appeals on behalf of human rights defenders in Central America and Mexico. AI INDEX AMR 02/05/96. Amnesty International. December 10, 1996.
- ^ Verónica Espinoza (October 31, 2020). "Falleció el obispo Arturo Lona Reyes tras 15 de días de estar hospitalizado 13:00h" (in Spanish). ADN Sureste. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020.