Was Devoutly Catholic Juarez Named After A Heretic?

Juarez, across the US/Mexico border from El Paso, was named after Benito Juarez who, some might say, was a heretic. Odd choice for a city, state and country that is way, WAY, Catholic.

When it comes to religion, over 80% of the population of Mexico practices Catholicism. They take it very seriously over there and any insult to the Church can cost you.

It can get you kicked out of groups, barred from business dealings, ostracized in many ways, or into a fight. Depending on where you are, or who you're talking to, it may get you killed.

Yet the largest city in the Mexican state of Chihuahua was named after a man who, as President of Mexico, attacked the church in a deliberate attempt to, politically, weaken it.

Why Would Juarez Do That?

Benito Juarez went up against the Catholic church. (primarily), because its elders were backing his political enemies. Juarez didn't care what the Church or the faithful thought and, in what many would call "political suicide", he made that clear.

That probably didn't win him any points but it didn't cost him enough to get him run out of office either. In all, he served as President of Mexico for almost 15 years.

READ MORE: 160 Year Old Catholic Church Reopens In New Mexico

The Catholic church in Mexico was, (is), beyond powerful but that didn't matter. When the clergy turned its support away from Juarez, the one time seminary student/wannabe priest, hit 'em where it hurt.

He nationalized all church property, exempting only those buildings actually used for worship and instruction. To weaken clerical influence still further, he also nationalized the cemeteries and put birth registrations and marriages under the civil authority. Finally, the government separated church and state and guaranteed religious liberty to all citizens. - britannica.com

Juarez's policies also returned land to native Mexican Indians that had been "appropriated" by the Catholic church along with other things that angered the church and the faithful on other levels.

Heretic, Hero or both? You be the judge, read more here.