The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-07-28
MEXICO WILL
INVESTIGATE
DEATH REPORT
Mayor Said to Have Been
Killed BY Mob After He
Had Murdered Priest
SHRlNES ARE CROWDED
Government Refuses 10 Let
Priests Turn Churches
Over 10 Committees


Mexico City, July 2s.-lR-Gov.
eminent officials today were investi-
eating reports from Aguascsliente :
Of the first death BY violence az an
outgrcwth Of the religious situation.
Meanwhile. Catholics throughout
the republic continued to flock to the
churches to hear mass and receive
the sacraments because after next
Saturday services in which priests
take part will be discontinued by the
church as q protest against the regu-
lations. Mass is being said every
half hour.
The death reported is that Of May
or HumbertO Cervantes Of N0chistan,
state Of Zacatecas. One report is
that he was stoned to death BY mob
after he had murdered q Catholic
priest and that all the members OF
his family were killed. Another re-
port says he was hanged after he
had fired at the priest and ordered
his arrest.
New Orders Issued
The government today issued or
dcrs by which it refuses to permit
Catholic priests, when they cease ia
function ut midnight Saturday. to turn
over their churches to committees 0i
Catholic aymen appointed by them
for each church.
Instead, the government has ordered
the churches placed in charge Of com.
mittees appointed by the mayors OF
each town or city.
Today there were more pilgrimages
to the shrine of Guadalupe, the saint
most dearly beloved by the Mexican
people. which is situated just outside
the capital.
From far off mountain villages
entire Indian families have beer
trudging along roads by day and
sleeping by the wayside at night. The
women carry babies. tied in shawls
upon their backs, while the large
children trot alongside their parents
who carry scant bundles of food ant
= few thin blankets with which u
w rdsoff yhe bittsrness Of the nigh
chill In the highlands.
BY thousands they surround anG
then crowd into the shrine and knee
there SO thickly wedged together thai
the entrance Of another person is i'm
possible until some one vacates u BIZ
of space.
Indians Love Virgin
The Indians love the virgin o1
Guadalupe. Tradition has it that she
first appeared to one Of their owr
kind--humble Juan Diego. In hel
visitations the virgin is reputed tc
have given preference to the lowlies
of the low, rather than to- the digni
taries Of the church; and through the
subsequent 800 years the Indians ir
return have given her their supreme
affections. According to legend the
virgin. responding to the prayers oi
the Indians. has saved Mexico City
many times from flood, pcstilcncc ant
other disaster.
This prayer is murmured over Ano
over from the thrOats of the thou
sands of Indians At the shrine:
"Oh. lady Of Guadalupe. Oh. mother
Of Guadalupe. Oh. sacred virgin oi
GuadsluDc-savc Mexico, save your
chuPch!"
In many other churches containing
the same prayer is being heard daily
and win be continued until midnight
Saturday when the new religious reg.
ulations of the government 60 into
effect.
2S,ooo Children C0nfiemed
More than 25.0OO children have been
confirmed in the cathedral during the
last week. Archbishop Mora Y. Del
Rio tainted from exhaustion once
after 5000 confirmstions. He is u
years old.
The large number Of women. carry.
ing infants in their arms for baptism
fell to their knees and prayed that he
might not die. After remedies had been
administered. he returned with faltcr.
ing steps and continued his ministra.
tiOns.
The Catholic authorities estimated
that already more than 10000 con.
firmations have taken place in the
cathedral here since July and they
express the belief that in the -four
days remaining until the religious
regulations come intn effect. the total
easily viii run over 100000.
Puebla dispatches say prominent
society women Of that eity paraded
barefoot through the streets yester.
day to show their sorrow over the re
ljgious restrictions. They marched IL
the cathedral. where prayers were
Offered.