The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene. Short summary

5 seconds

The protagonist is a Catholic priest who, despite a harsh anti-religious law that calls for a firing squad, continues to serve masses in a state in Mexico.

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The protagonist of the work is a Catholic clergyman who continues to travel through the backwoods of a Mexican state, sharing his faith with others. Local laws stipulate a firing squad as a punishment for «crimes of this nature. At the same time, the priest, who was previously a virtuous and prosperous man, began to abuse alcoholic beverages as a result of the despair and loneliness that overwhelmed him.

The main character begins to pursue the punitive authorities. Saving his life, he goes to another state. On the territory of this administrative territorial unit, the only penalty for bringing religious doctrine to the masses is a fine, but not a firing squad.

A wealthy official helps the priest with a place to live and offers to serve without fear for his life in the nearby church, which does not have a rector. The protagonist refuses the offer. He is soon caught and then executed.