[NYTr] Church Annuls 200-Yr-Old Excommunication of Mexican Hero Hidalgo

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

[Hey, Galileo had to wait a lot longer after he died for an apology.]


AP - Oct 17, 2007

Church restores Mexico independence hero

By E. EDUARDO CASTILLO,
Associated Press Writer

Mexico on Wednesday learned that the father of the nation's 
independence movement did not die excommunicated nearly 200 years 
ago, clearing a stain from his legacy ahead of the 2010 bicentennial 
celebrations.

Roman Catholic investigators announced that the excommunication of 
priest and independence hero Miguel Hidalgo was annulled when he 
confessed his sins shortly before being shot by a Spanish firing 
squad.

Hidalgo, a Catholic priest, was expelled by the church on Sept. 24, 
1810, nine days after he issued the first call for Mexicans to take 
up arms against the Spanish colonial government. Mexico commemorates 
his historic "grito," or cry of independence, each September with a 
national holiday.

However, priest Gustavo Watson said Wednesday that a special 
investigative commission found evidence that Hidalgo received 
confession from a fellow priest shortly before he was executed. Under 
church law, Watson said, his confession automatically voided the 
excommunication order.

"Hidalgo died within the church, reconciled with the church," Watson
said.

Mexican legislators had asked Catholic officials to examine the cases 
of Hidalgo and another priest, Jose Maria Morelos, ahead of 
celebrations of the 200-year anniversary of the start of Mexico's war 
for independence.

Their excommunication has long been considered an insult to the 
memories of the two independence heroes.

Officials said they were still investigating Morelos' case, although 
they suspected he also confessed.

Many people have claimed Hidalgo was excommunicated in retaliation 
for calling for independence, but Watson said church documents show 
it was for violence against other priests.