Governor Tomás Garrido Canabal
The governor of Tabasco who led the campaign to shut down the Catholic Church in the 1930s was Tomás Garrido Canabal.
He was a staunch anti-Catholic and a radical atheist who implemented strict anti-religious policies during his time in office.
Garrido Canabal was known for his aggressive enforcement of the Mexican government’s anti-clerical laws, which were part of the broader effort during the Mexican Revolution and the subsequent Cristero War to reduce the influence of the Catholic Church in Mexico.
Background:
Anti-Catholic Campaign: Garrido Canabal’s campaign against the Church began in the 1920s and continued for more than a decade. The campaign included the closure of churches, the expulsion or persecution of priests, and the promotion of atheism and socialist ideologies. He also established a paramilitary force known as the “Red Shirts” to enforce his policies and spread anti-religious propaganda.
Persecution of Catholics: The campaign in Tabasco was particularly harsh. Religious festivals were banned, images of saints were destroyed, and public worship was prohibited. Garrido Canabal also promoted “Rationalist Education,” part of a broader national policy which aimed to replace religious teachings with socialist and secular ideals.
What Happened to Tomás Garrido Canabal?
Garrido Canabal’s political fortunes changed after the presidency of Plutarco Elías Calles, who had supported his anti-religious zeal. When Lázaro Cárdenas became President of Mexico in 1934, the political climate began to shift. Although Cárdenas initially appointed Garrido Canabal as his Secretary of Agriculture, Garrido’s influence gradually waned.
Exile: In 1935, following increasing tensions within the government and growing public unrest against his policies, Garrido Canabal was forced to resign from his position as Secretary of Agriculture. He went into exile in Costa Rica. His departure was part of a broader movement by President Cárdenas to distance his administration from the extreme anti-Catholic policies associated with the earlier phase of the Revolution.
Later Life and Death: Garrido Canabal spent several years in Costa Rica, effectively ending his political career in Mexico. He died in exile in 1943 from liver disease, far removed from the power and influence he once wielded in Tabasco.