Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Writer and historian Dan Grippo will be presenting a new lecture series, "Mexican Church-State History" from 10:30 am to 12 noon on March 8th, 15th and 22nd at the International Friendship Club.

In this series, Dan, who has a Ph.D. in Latin American History, will review a collection of original (translated) documents beginning at the time of Columbus and of "defender of the Indians" Father Bartolomé de las Casas, into the colonial period and the Inquisition, through Mexican Independence, the Mexican Revolution, and into contemporary Mexico.

Included are readings on the Virgin of Guadalupe and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, the excommunication of Padre Miguel Hidalgo for leading the Independence revolt, Pancho Villa's criticism of the church, up to the Mexican bishops' response to the Zapatistas march on Mexico City in 2001.

While supplies last, a reading packet will be available for purchase at the International Friendship Club office during office hours (9 am-4 pm) beginning Wednesday, March 6th. The cost is $20 pesos (exact change please!) If attending with someone, please consider sharing a copy so more will be available.

Each week Dan will cover approximately 6 photocopied pages, front and back, which comes to 12 pages of reading. If you pick up a reading pack this week, please read through the page numbered 98 for this Friday, March 8.

Dan will allow a couple of minutes Friday for a quick scan of each document under discussion, and you do not have to read the documents to attend.

This will be the last series he offers this year, so don't miss it!

Admission for each session: $100 pesos / $80 pesos for IFC members, which goes to support the IFC mission.