This is a part of Mexican history during the 20th Century that many are completely unaware of.
Very true. Many people are also unaware that Mexico, technically, is a socialist state and officially very hostile to the Church. In fact, clergy only got official permission to wear their clericals on the street a few years ago.
An excellent novel about it is "The Fourth Gift" by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007DY8G2/102-5874585-7836903?v=glance&n=283155&s=books&v=glance