It remains a little known fact that, seven years prior to Our Lady’s revelations at Fatima, Portugal had fallen under the control of the Freemasons. Dismissing religion as the “opiate of the masses”, the “progressive powers” resolved to destroy the Catholic faith in two generations. Persecution of the Church ensued. Repressive measures were enacted against the clergy. The Primate of Portugal and other troublesome bishops and priests were exiled. In 1915 Lisbon was declared the atheistic capital of the world. The royal family was murdered down to the last child.