Bishop Jorge Bernal, LC

In 1970 Pope Paul VI entrusted the Legion of Christ with the care of the Prelature of Chetumal-Cancún which covers 19,360 square miles of the state of Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico). Paul VI appointed Mons. Jorge Bernal Vargas, LC, as its first prelate.

Most of the natives in this region are Mayans whose population numbers approximately 850,000. They work as farmers or manual laborers. For their spiritual care, Bishop Bernal counts on the presence of 10% of all Legionary priests and numerous Regnum Christi lay coworkers. The Legionaries serving as missionaries have built approximately 230 churches and chapels since 1970. Some of the indigenous laity work as full-time catechists.