The Whisky Priest is the last Catholic cleric operating in a Mexican state where religion is outlawed. He travels continually to avoid capture while ministering to secret believers. He struggles with alcoholism and carries profound guilt over his failures, including secretly fathering a child. Despite his constant fear and desire to escape, a deep sense of duty forces him to risk his life for others.

The Lieutenant is a disciplined, idealistic military officer dedicated to secularizing his state. He genuinely hates the Catholic Church, viewing it as a corrupt institution that preys on the poor. He maintains a strict personal moral code and seeks to build a new, rational world for the impoverished citizens. His pursuit of the priest stems from political fervor rather than personal malice.

The Mestizo is an impoverished man who recognizes the fleeing priest and joins him on his journey. He suffers from a malarial fever and moves with a sluggish, persistent energy. Driven by economic desperation, he calculates how to leverage his knowledge of the fugitive's identity for a government reward.

Mr. Tench is an English expatriate working as a dentist in a small, desolate port town. He suffers from tropical heat and a pervasive sense of boredom, feeling entirely disconnected from his surroundings. He carries lingering memories of his estranged family in England but lacks the funds or energy to return home.

Captain Fellows is a cheerful English expatriate who operates a rural banana plantation. He tries to remain neutral in the state's political and religious conflicts to protect his livelihood. He prefers avoiding trouble and feels uneasy when the military or fugitives intrude upon his property.

Coral Fellows is the young, highly capable daughter of an expatriate plantation owner. She takes charge of the plantation's logistics when her parents falter and approaches life with practical maturity. Though she claims to reject religious belief, she acts with immediate compassion when she encounters a desperate stranger on their land.

Mrs. Fellows is an English expatriate living on an isolated banana plantation with her family. She suffers from frequent neuroses and headaches, struggling significantly with the harsh environment. She relies heavily on her daughter to manage both the household and her own emotional stability.

Padre José is a former Catholic priest who chose to marry rather than face execution or exile. His decision has made him an object of public mockery and stripped him of his religious authority. He lives in constant shame, finding no comfort in his forced secular life but lacking the courage to defy the state.

Padre José's Wife is a domineering woman who takes perverse pride in being married to a former priest. She enforces his compliance with their domestic life and actively prevents him from returning to his former religious duties. She uses coarse language and asserts total authority over his daily activities.

Maria is a villager in Concepción who previously had a secret relationship with the town's priest. She shelters him when he returns, though she is sharply critical of his failures and the danger he brings to the community. She works hard to protect her daughter while managing the stigma of the child's parentage.

Brigitta is the young daughter of Maria, growing up in the rural village of Concepción. She faces mockery from other children due to her illegitimate birth and her father's infamous identity. She acts out with insolence and defiance, bearing the social consequences of actions she did not commit.

The Mother is a devout woman living in the capital, trying to raise her children with traditional religious values despite the state's ban. She insists on reading them stories of saints and martyrs to keep their faith alive. She worries constantly about her son's growing skepticism and his fascination with the secular military.

The Father is a pragmatic man who remembers the days before religion was outlawed. He attempts to mediate between his devout wife and his increasingly skeptical son. He recognizes that the younger generation has no memory of the Church's community functions, viewing the institution's loss with mild resignation.

Luis is a teenage boy growing up under the new secular laws of the state. He has no personal memory of the functioning Catholic Church and grows increasingly bored by his mother's stories of religious martyrs. He directs his admiration toward the armed soldiers and police officers who patrol the streets.

The Chief is the head of the regional police force, operating from the capital. He delegates the difficult fieldwork to his subordinates while managing pressure from the state governor. He focuses on practical results, tracking both religious dissidents and common criminals like an American bank robber.

James Calver, often referred to as the gringo, is an American bank robber who crossed the border into Mexico to escape law enforcement. He travels heavily armed and resorts to violence to secure resources while hiding in the rural territory. His presence creates parallel pressure on the police force, complicating their search for other fugitives.

Mr. Lehr is an older German-American expatriate living in a neighboring state with more lenient laws. He maintains an orderly, clean estate that isolates him from the surrounding poverty. Though he disapproves of Catholic doctrine, he extends polite, Protestant charity to fugitives who cross his path.

Miss Lehr manages a quiet expatriate homestead with her brother, far from the violent political struggles of the neighboring state. She helps provide fresh clothing and food to unexpected travelers. She shares her brother's strict standards for cleanliness and order in their rural environment.

The Beggar is an impoverished resident of the capital city who survives by connecting buyers with illegal goods. He acts as a middleman for those seeking banned items, using his knowledge of the city's corrupt officials to secure small advantages for himself.

The Governor's Cousin exploits his family connections to bypass the state's strict prohibition laws. He operates a lucrative black market trade, selling confiscated wine and brandy at exorbitant prices. He uses his political immunity to avoid the harsh penalties inflicted on common citizens.

The Indigenous Woman is a mother stranded in a deserted village, guarding her severely wounded child. She speaks very little Spanish, relying on basic religious terms to communicate her desires. She remains entirely focused on securing a Christian burial for her son after a violent encounter destroys her community.