The anti-clericalism during the French Revolution initially began with attacks on church corruption and the wealth of the higher clergy, an action with which even many Christians could identify, since the Roman Catholic church held a dominant role in pre-revolutionary France.

What caused anticlericalism?

In the nineteenth century anticlericalism led liberal movements to abolish the church as a state institution. ... In some cases, anticlericalism arose in response to outright ecclesiastical abuses such as simony, plurality of benefices, absenteeism, concubinage, nepotism, and scandalous or extravagant behavior.

Why did the priests come to Mexico?

Catholicism arrived in Mexico with the conquistadors coming to plunder the country, but it took the apparition of Mary in 1531 for the religion to take root. ... Mexican independence was ignited by a parish priest: Miguel Hidalgo, who inspired an uprising with his cry of “¡Viva México!”