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Background: In just the last few months, five foreign-born priests belonging to the Diocese of San Crist๓bal de Las Casas in Chiapas have been expelled by the Mexican authorities. Fr. Loren Riebe, originally from Los Angeles, was given no official statement from the government, simply informed that his pastoral activities were not in accord with his status as a foreigner. Through the US Embassy there, he was provided a series of supposed anonymous and patently false "charges." Fr. Paul Nadolny, svd, from Wisconsin and Canadian Holy Cross Fr. Albert Mahoney, who were both out of the country were informed that some "irregularities" in their migration documents would prevent them from returning.
Literally thousands of letters have been sent to the Mexican President on behalf of Fr. Riebe (they were copied to Cardinal Keeler, so we have boxes and boxes of them here!) but, thus far, to no effect. The issue was raised with President Zedillo during his recent state visit here and at least a promise was made that more information would be forthcoming.
At this time, three Members of Congress have taken the initiative of circulating "Dear Colleague" letters, inviting their colleagues to join them in signing letters to the two presidents. The letter to President Clinton was originated by Senator Patrick Leahy, joined by Rep. Lee Hamilton and is being circulated in both Houses. The letter to President Zedillo was initiated by Rep. Chris Smith and is being circulated in the House of Representatives.
The letters ask for nothing more than the assistance of the two presidents in enabling the priests to return to their parishes. While the texts mention only Fr. Riebe, since he was expelled over three months ago and has been here in Washington meeting with people in Congress, any breakthrough on his case would clearly help the others.
USCC Position: A USCC delegation headed by Bishop Ricardo Ramํrez visited the diocese of San Crist๓bal de Las Casas and the parish of Yajal๓n in early July, and heard eloquent testimony of Fr. Riebe's work there. In mid-July, Bishop Reilly, chairman of the Committee on International Policy, wrote the Mexican Ambassador expressing USCC concern over the expulsion and requested a meeting with the Embassy. To this date, we have been unsuccessful in securing a meeting to discuss the expulsions.More recently, Cardinal Keeler, President of the Conference, has written to assure the Diocese of San Crist๓bal of our continued efforts to facilitate the return to their parishes of Fathers Riebe and Nadolny.
Action Requested: Please ask your Senators to join Senator Leahy in writing to Mr. Clinton, and your Representatives to join Rep. Smith in writing Mr. Zedillo.