Alberto Rivera, born on September 19, 1935, in Spain, was a complex and controversial figure in the world of Fundamentalist Christianity. His background is shrouded in mystery and subject to much debate. Rivera claimed that he had been a Jesuit priest before converting to Protestantism, but a journalistic expose later revealed that he was likely a career criminal with a questionable past.
Rivera is best remembered for his vocal opposition to Roman Catholicism. He believed that the Catholic Church was responsible for a wide range of societal ills, including Nazism, Communism, economic recessions, and even presidential assassinations. His fiery rhetoric fueled the conspiracy theories of evangelical Christian comic book writer Jack T. Chick.
Like many aspects of his life, the details of Rivera's family situation are murky. It is believed that he was born in Spain and later relocated to the United States. Some sources suggest that he had two children with a woman named Carmen Lydia Torres.
Alberto Rivera passed away in his early sixties and was laid to rest in Tulsa, Oklahoma's Rose Hill Cemetery. Despite his controversial beliefs and questionable background, Rivera's influence on the world of Fundamentalist Christianity cannot be denied. He not only shaped the views of evangelical Christians like Jack T. Chick but also made a lasting impact on the conversation surrounding the Catholic Church and its perceived role in global events.
Alberto Rivera's life may be shrouded in mystery and controversy, but his legacy lives on in the minds of those who continue to question the role of religion in society. Whether or not one agrees with his views, there is no denying the impact he had on the world of Fundamentalist Christianity and the conversations surrounding Roman Catholicism.