Supporters of leftist presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador generated criticism from church officials when they used images of Our Lady of Guadalupe on political banners.

Lopez Obrador supporters, who are calling for a recount of July 2 presidential election results, also created a disturbance during an Aug. 20 Mass at Mexico City's downtown cathedral.

A group of about 600 pilgrims marched north from the center of the city to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe Aug. 19, carrying a banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe on which was written "voto x voto" (vote for vote).

The Mexican newspaper La Reforma also reported marchers were carrying posters with the slogan, "Dios non es panista" (God is not a member of the PAN), referring to the ruling National Action Party.

Hugo Valdemar, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Mexico City, said Our Lady of Guadalupe "is the patron of all, and you don't have the right to include her in a political act." He said the Catholic Church "feels offended in such a severe way that it results in a sacrilege."

Lopez Obrador, the presidential candidate for the Democratic Revolution Party, lost the July 2 presidential election by 0.58 percent of the 41 million ballots cast. He and his supporters have demanded a recount, claiming massive voter fraud. Felipe Calderon of the ruling National Action Party initially was declared the winner.

One Lopez Obrador supporter, Francisco de la Cruz, said that Our Lady of Guadalupe was the mother of all people, "and it is the people that command we request a recount, vote for vote."

The march's organizers said they were asking Mary to "enlighten the judges" who must find a solution to the political impasse. The federal election commission has until Sept. 6 to certify the election results.

A spokesman for Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera of Mexico City also condemned a disturbance during a Mass Aug. 20 at the city's downtown cathedral. The spokesman questioned why the demonstrators chose to attack the church, an institution that supports a democratic solution to the growing crisis in the aftermath of the elections.

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---CNS