Fábio Vidigal Xavier da Silveira, the Christian Iberian-Americanist – Folha de S. Paulo, January 2, 1972

by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira

Fábio Vidigal Xavier da Silveira, author of the bestseller Frei, the Chilean Kerensky, in front of the Santo Antonio Church in São Paulo at the launch of the campaign to clarify Brazilian opinion about the Marxist Salvador Allende’s victory in Chile (September 1970)

The mournful circumstances in which I write prevent me from making controversial statements. Therefore, I will not attempt to prove the complete accuracy of the thesis Fábio advanced in his bestseller here. The facts support it so strongly that, when Allende replaced Frei as president, some rightly called the young Brazilian author’s insight prophetic. And the name of the Chilean Democratic Party leader became forever linked to Kerensky’s.

Therefore, I want to highlight in this article the significant contribution of the book Frei, the Chilean Kerensky, and its author to the cause of uniting the Ibero-American peoples, a cause that remains highly relevant today.

Although written by a Brazilian, this book had a major impact in Chile, where it was read and debated across all cultural and political circles. The Frei government banned its circulation in Chile immediately after it was published in Brazil. Then a “black market” quickly formed in Chile, with many Chilean tourists returning from Buenos Aires buying the work from them, bringing the Spanish edition promoted by the Argentine TFP in their luggage. The book had genuinely shaken Chile.

But that was not all. During a street campaign by members and volunteers of TFPs or similar groups across most South American countries, Frei, the Chilean Kerensky, achieved rapid and impressive success. The work was published in Argentina (six editions), Venezuela (two editions), Colombia, Ecuador, and El Salvador. Along with the four Brazilian editions, this totals fifteen editions, with over 102,000 copies sold. I know of no other book of this kind by a Brazilian author that has achieved similar success outside the country.

And it is not just a matter of success. Frei’s Christian Democratic experiment literally mesmerized numerous and influential sectors of Ibero-American public opinion. By dispelling the myth of the Christian Democratic Party, Fábio Vidigal Xavier da Silveira’s book made a significant contribution to the continent’s historical trajectory, shifting it toward new horizons.

It is important to explain how these facts contributed to Ibero-American unity. I personally observed the development of this remarkable effort and, at the time, listened attentively to its creator. His main aim was not to boast but to serve Christian civilization effectively, which he believed was at risk because of the Chilean experiment.

The young TFP director deeply admired and appreciated all Ibero-American peoples. He was keenly aware that all Latin peoples of this continent form a single family united by faith, tradition, race, and a shared historical mission. Recognizing this fundamental unity, he viewed the differences among the nations born of glorious Iberia as minor. To him, maintaining those differences in the 20th century seemed completely outdated. This understanding led him to genuinely care about the progress and challenges of each sister country. It also convinced him that if a serious problem threatened one of them, it would affect all the others. For these reasons, Fábio V. Xavier da Silveira took a strong interest in the situation in Chile.

Note that Frei, the Chilean Kerensky, was written not only out of love for Chile and Brazil but also for the sake of all peoples of the same lineage, from Mexico to Uruguay and Argentina.

I believe this noble and selfless Iberian-American spirit, clearly reflected in the pages of Frei, the Chilean Kerensky, largely prevented the book from being perceived as interference in the affairs of another country.

Furthermore, the book’s enthusiastic reception across all sister nations shows that they increasingly recognize their shared destiny.

During this important moment of closeness among the Ibero-American peoples, the release of Fábio’s book served as a test, showing that the time had come to strengthen connections, accelerate communication and exchanges, and turn the deep unity that binds us all into reality.

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Of course, Fábio did not see this unity through Lanusse’s idea of a continent without ideological barriers. To the clear-headed TFP leader, a purely geographic and economic unity seemed empty, fragile, and unstable. He envisioned Latin American unity primarily grounded in shared faith, religious tradition, and a Christian outlook for the future. For instance, his support for the Cuban people did not mean seeking diplomatic or trade relations with Fidel Castro, but rather helping, in every lawful way, the oppressed Cubans to free themselves from Castro’s dictatorship. Fábio V. Xavier da Silveira’s idea of Iberian Pan-Americanism was not that of a businessman, ethnologist, or geographer. While acknowledging the importance of trade ties, noble racial bonds, and geographical proximity, Fábio saw Pan-Ibero-Americanism driven by a crusader’s spirit.

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During his numerous trips across the continent, where he studied and built contacts with groups of young people interested in valuing tradition, family, and property in their respective countries, Fábio’s approach significantly contributed to the success of his work as a bridge between brother peoples. His personality was admirably suited to this task.

Those who didn’t know him personally might find it hard to imagine his talent for drawing people in. Intelligent, cultured, dynamic, astute, and tactful, Fabio also possessed an indefinable personal charm that was hard to resist. His extraordinary vitality, pleasant manner, endlessly jovial spirit, and highly original “verve” made his conversations a treasure chest that, when least expected, yielded insightful observations, witty jokes, generous acts of kindness, and sharp, powerful debates. His presence was always a delight, and his passing left a trail of light, blending the appreciation, affection, and amused smiles of everyone who had known him.

This was Fábio’s public life. Those of us who knew him well also appreciated Fábio in his daily life.

He was a tireless worker, drawn to big tasks. A loyal friend whose solidarity remained strong even in the toughest moments. A passionate reader of classical French theater, he had Cornelian reflections in his soul. However, he was very Brazilian and often expressed affection to the point of tenderness. Straightforward and humble, Fábio was always ready to accept suggestions, admit mistakes, apologize, and even carefully assign faults to himself that he did not have.

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It’s too soon to discuss here the deeper part of this soul that God has just called to Himself. I am referring to Fábio’s religious mindset.

In my mind, the memory of Fábio’s face during the final stages of his painful illness will never fade. He did not fear death. On the contrary, he walked peacefully toward it, seeing it as both liberation and sacrifice. Liberation from our condition as sinful men. “I prefer to die than to expose myself to the risk of sin,” he told me. Sacrifice for the Church. He closed his eyes, offering Our Lady—whom he was most devoted to—his pains and his death for the sake of the divided, defiled, betrayed, but always divine and infinitely holy Church.

Such was the person, work, and end of this distinguished fighter for traditional and Christian pan-Ibero-Americanism.