Arturo Lona Reyes

Arturo Lona Reyes (1 November 192531 October 2020) was a Mexican bishop who served as the Catholic bishop from Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. He served in his position for 30 years before resigning from his diocese in 2001.

Early life and career Lona Reyes was born on 1 November 1925, in the state of Aguascalientes. He became a Roman Catholic priest in 1952. In 1972 he presided over the Episcopal Commission for Indigenous People. To benefit local producers he established two agricultural co-operatives—one exporting organic coffee to Europe and another to sell sesame—with profits shared equally between members. Throughout his career he was physically attacked 11 times.

Resignation request Lona Reyes was asked to resign in 1998. His opponents accused him of engaging in gun-running, fomenting political instability and aiding guerrilla movements. These accusations stemmed from Lona Reyes' support of the Coalition of Workers, Peasants, and Students of the Isthmus (COCEI), which the government believed directly influenced the group's rapid growth. For instance, in May 1979, Lona Reyes was asked by families of COECEI members taken prisoner to assist in securing their release, something the government did not look favorably upon. In response to the apparently close relationship between Lona Reyes and COCEI, the government closed churches and expelled diocesan workers. The government, however, failed to provide any evidence to show a direct link between Lona Reyes and the actions of the COCEI.

In response to Lona Reyes's accusations, Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Justo Mullor cited canonical law which stated a bishop was to resign at the age of 75, which Lona Reyes was approaching. Further accusations were made by Prigione, stating Lona Reyes had failed to submit reports to the Vatican since 1971. Lona Reyes resigned as bishop in 2001, having reached the age limit of 75.

Later career and death Lona Reyes was appointed bishop emeritus in 2000. In 2008 he received the 16th Don Sergio Méndez Arceo National Human Rights Award. He was cremated the same day as his death and his ashes placed in a glass cabinet in front of the main altar of Tehuantepec Cathedral until his funeral on 3 November.