When Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre came to Texas in July 1977, to dedicate Queen of Angels Roman Catholic Chapel in Dickinson, he intended to go to Mexico to visit Traditional Catholic Centers there. The Archbishop was denied permission to travel in Mexico and was declared persona non grata by the Mexican government.

Many may wonder why an archbishop would be prevented from visiting a Catholic country, especially a country which prides itself on being "free and democratic". While the cancellation of the visit came from the government, the real opposition came from the Bishops of Mexico; namely, the Bishops of Mexico City and Guadalajara. These two are commonly known as the "Red Bishops" because of their open affection for Communism and their pronounced detestation of Catholicism.

After many years of persecution, the Faith is still strong among the Mexican People. Bloody persecutions commenced in the early 1800s and continued until the late 1930s. Hardly a Mexican family can be found that hasn't lost a member to the enemies of the Church. Although the persecutions took thousands of lives, the Faith remains strong among the peasants, particularly. The persecutions continue today.

The laws against Catholicism in Mexico are among the most severe to be found anywhere in the world. For example, Catholic priests and nuns are forbidden, and under threat of arrest, to wear clerical garb in public. Any priest found expressing political views in any Catholic institution may be imprisoned and, because he is a priest, forfeits his right to trial. To prevent a public display of sentiment on the part of the people, the "Red Bishops" petitioned the government to forbid the Archbishop's visit. They warned the government that the visit would bring rioting and uprisings among the people. The government of Mexico, which is both Masonic and Marxist, was more than happy to comply with the request.

Although Archbishop Lefebvre was prevented from visiting Mexico, he sent a message to the Mexican people. The full text of that message follows:

I will take this opportunity to address myself to the Catholics of Mexico, faithful to the Traditions of the Church, since I was unable to do it personally. This is my message:

"Why was I denied a visa?" Because it is evident that our actions disturb the authors of subversion in the Church, subversion against the State and subversion against Societies. These persons do not look upon us as desirable and try to limit our influence in every field, because they know we are against the subversion, since those who hold with tradition within society also hold with the order wanted by God in and through His Church. Consequently, these persons who are inclined with subversive intentions intend to extend revolution on earth. Because they are well known it is unnecessary to name them. These persons, I repeat, cannot tolerate our presence, and they do all possible to hinder us from defending the true message of our Lord Jesus Christ, who asks us to obey His Church and to obey the natural laws of Society.

What we expect of the Church is that pastors, who are the successors of the Apostles, keep their obligations which have been bestowed upon them: that they conserve the Catholic Faith and that they propagate it by teaching the catechism, the Creed, with the practice of the Mass and Sacraments in order to give grace to the Faithful. That is why we ask them as pastors to be faithful to their mission, continuing and maintaining the traditions. I believe that by having these convictions we can help the Church and help the nations regain peace, justice and charity.

This is what we had wished to tell Mexican Catholics if we had been able to tell them ourselves, for the well-being of their souls, and for the well-being of civil society.

What advice can we offer to the Catholics of Mexico loyal to tradition? We tell them, like we tell all Catholics, GUARD YOUR FAITH! Maintain your faith at all cost. Organize to transmit the Faith to the children, in order to teach true doctrine to those that will follow. If it is necessary, do not hesitate in giving your life for the Faith! That is what our forefathers did. Desire, therefore, to be worthy of them! In this age all is uniting against the Catholic Faith. If these subversive forces are triumphant, Catholicism could disappear in some countries. In Mexico, on the contrary, we expect that Catholics will hold fast to these traditions in the Faith and in the Church of Our Lord.

+  Marcel Lefebvre
Dickinson, Texas
12 July 1977