We won in Spain??? No, Franco won. He was a friend of Hitlers, and allowed the German Air Force to practice their bombing on his own people. He was the devil’s own friend. Many bishops did support him, no doubt because the alternative was communism. But in no semse acn we say we - the Body of Christ - won.
besides, doesn’t Viva Christo Rey pertain more to Mexico than Spain?
That is very sad. First of all, you have committed the grave sin of calumny against Franco, who has a Catholic man. And yet you call him a friend of the devil?! That is calumny, sir.
Second, you are misinformed regarding Franco’s worldly associations as well. He became a friend of Eisenhower, but he was no friend of Hitler. In fact, Hitler held him in contempt and was enraged by Franco’s refusal to assist in Hitler’s war effort. Franco’s Spain was officially neutral during WWII, just like Eire.
Third, the employment of Italian and German military assistance was necessary for the Nationalists because the Soviet Union was sending
modern tanks and aircraft to the Republicans. There was no way that the Catholics of Spain could stand up to the might of the Soviet Union without assistance.
Fourth, the struggle of the Nationalists was a Catholic struggle. Under the Spanish Red Terror, almost 7,000 clergy (including 13 bishops) were put to death by the Republicans, not counting the numerous other Catholic lay people. In some districts, up to 80% of the clergy were killed (the rest going into hiding). It was an orgy of slaughter, church burning and Communist terrorism. The loyal sons of the Church in Spain rose up and struck back.
We won… Catholic Christians won.
Fifth, the noble and gallant cry “Viva Cristo Rey” was the rallying call of the Catholic Nationalist militias called Requetes… the “Traditionalists” or “Carlists”. They became part of the political institution of Francoist Spain, joining with the Falange into the FET y de las JONS… the “Traditionalist Spanish Falange”. Franco himself stipulated this union, in part to de-radicalize the more extreme elements in the Falange. It was clear by this move that Spain under Franco was to be Catholic and Traditionalist in nature.
I am sorry that you, sir, have spoken as you have done about the gallant and noble character of Franco, and that you have rejected our authentic and blessed victory in which we as Catholics should all share and rejoice. I will say a prayer to the holy martyrs of the Spanish Civil war to intercede for you. I know that there is much misinformation and Communist propaganda still surrounding the SCW… even Beevor himself noted that it is the great exception to the rule that history is written by the victor.
Holy Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War, pray for us! Sacred Heart of Jesus, make our hearts like Your Heart!
Viva Cristo Rey!
Lumping the groups together makes some arguments and historical analyzations easier, but it seldom makes things more accurate, and there are many other ways of looking at it. It’s true that today we looks at things in terms of nations, and those did not exist back then, but in the past there were many very distinct kingdoms, and each was autonomous. They were loosely bound together by the church, but even the pope had to do a lot of work to get the different kingdoms to work together…and even then they didn’t all do so. Many kingdoms were at peace while others were at war. You are right in saying that Islam was less fragmented, but there were different autonomous factions there as well. Depending on which particular aspect of the crusades (or any aspect of history from the years 700-1700) one is looking at, it is definately worth considering the different factions at least, the roles they played, and which ones succeeded, which ones failed, and what part each one played.