Pope Benedict XVI heads to Brazilian shrine city, drug treatment center

AP ^ | May 12, 2007 | TALES AZZONI

[NYer]

APARECIDA, Brazil — Pope Benedict XVI turned his attention to strategies for reversing the Catholic Church's declining influence in Latin America, traveling to Brazil's most important shrine to open a regional bishops' conference.

Benedict lamented "difficult times for the church" in Brazil amid "aggressive proselytizing" by born-again Protestant congregations before flying by helicopter from Sao Paulo, the nation's largest city, to Aparecida, a hallowed Catholic religious site.

On Saturday, he plans to visit a rural drug treatment center founded by a Franciscan Friar that claims an 80 percent success rate. Addicts receive spiritual guidance while working as beekeepers, milking cows and tending apple orchards.

He then will open Sunday's conference of Latin American and Caribbean bishops — aimed at finding ways to reverse the erosion of the church in the region and Brazil.

Brazil's census shows the percentage of citizens characterizing themselves as Catholics plunged to 74 percent in 2000 from 89 percent in 1980, while those calling themselves evangelical Protestants rose to 15 percent from 7 percent.

The backdrop to the conference is Aparecida, 100 miles east of Sao Paulo, which is home to the mammoth Basilica of Aparecida as well as the 3-foot-tall statue of a black Virgin Mary called "Our Lady Who Appeared," the patron saint of Brazil.

The statue was pulled from a river in the 18th century by poor fishermen who were not catching any fish, and then caught loads in their nets. Miracles were subsequently attributed to the statue, and so many pilgrims flocked to Aparecida that the church built the basilica and inaugurated it as a shrine in 1955.

On Friday, the pope canonized Brazil's first native-born saint in a Mass before about a million people. He held up 18th century Friar Antonio de Sant'Anna Galvao as a model of rectitude and humility "in an age so full of hedonism."

Benedict was cheered by flag-waving crowds in the world's largest Catholic nation as he canonized the new saint, continuing a push for saints in the developing world that began under John Paul II, who sought role models as part of the church's worldwide reach. John Paul canonized more saints than all of his predecessors combined.

Benedict also called on Catholics to "oppose those elements of the media that ridicule the sanctity of marriage and virginity before marriage," picking a tough crowd to confront about hedonism and permissiveness.

More than 70 percent of Brazil's 190 million citizens may be Catholics, but sex before marriage is common. Scantily clad actresses are the norm on hugely popular TV soap operas, and women on the beaches wear bikinis that leave little to the imagination.

The pope may be popular among Brazilian Catholics but most probably will not heed his call when it comes to sex, said David Gibson, author of "The Rule of Benedict: Pope Benedict XVI and His Battle with the Modern World."

"This is enormously frustrating to Benedict or any pope; they want to have more impact," Gibson said. But "how do you go against a culture like that? It's tough."

While polls show Brazilians oppose expanding access to abortion, they overwhelmingly support using condoms to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases — in firm opposition to church doctrine. The government, in fact, hands out millions of condoms for free every year, especially ahead of the debauchery that is an integral part of Brazil's pre-lent carnival.

"Nothing could be more countercultural than his message in Brazil, the land of the thong," said Gibson, a former Vatican Radio reporter.

The drug treatment center that Benedict will visit near Aparecida, "Fazenda de Esperanca," or "Farm of Hope," was founded by Franciscan friar Hanz Stapel in 1983. Addicts are given a mixture of spiritual guidance and discipline with hard farm work to help them kick the habit, develop a work ethic and learn to help others with troubled lives.

There are now 31 similar farm-treatment centers in Brazil and 10 more in countries such as Russia, Mexico and Mozambique.

[NYer]

Benedict lamented "difficult times for the church" in Brazil amid "aggressive proselytizing" by born-again Protestant congregations before flying by helicopter from Sao Paulo, the nation's largest city, to Aparecida, a hallowed Catholic religious site.

Personally, after watching several of the events from Brazil, I can see where these people would be drawn to the Evangelical Church with its "praise the Lord" worship. They impress me as fun loving, party people. And while I appreciate how Evangelicals are moved by the Spirit, without the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, they are missing the Bread of Life.

---

'Truly, truly, I say to you unless you eat the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood,' which Leviticus condemns, the drinking of blood, 'unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in you. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is food indeed and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him.'"

The Institution of the Eucharist in Scripture

[trisham]

While polls show Brazilians oppose expanding access to abortion, they overwhelmingly support using condoms to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases — in firm opposition to church doctrine. The government, in fact, hands out millions of condoms for free every year, especially ahead of the debauchery that is an integral part of Brazil's pre-lent carnival.

"Nothing could be more countercultural than his message in Brazil, the land of the thong," said Gibson, a former Vatican Radio reporter.

**************

He's got his work cut out for him there, it's true. Still.

[bboop]

No, the LORD has His work cut out for Him in Brazil. But He is up to the challenge. First, let a ray of light into the darkness — the Pope can fan the embers.

[Salvation]

Please say a Rosary for the protection of Pope Benedict in Brazil.

If you can’t say a Rosary — say an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be for him.

Also add a Memorare for the his protection.

[NYer]

Did any of you watch the coverage of this event? The Holy Father never stopped smiling (except for the perplexed look on his face during the dance program :-). What remarkable testimonies from those who have been through this program. THIS is the Catholic Church in action!!! Groups from some of the worldwide treatment centers went up to bring gifts to B16 - they came from Mozambique, Germany, the Phillipines - there was even a young Russian Orthodox man.

Raymond Arroyo invited those watching to email their comments and questions. One person emailed saying that he left the Catholic Church and has been a devout Protestant for the past 30 years but after witnessing this display of veritable faith in action and the genuine affection between the Pope and these survivors of drug addiction, he was now headed home to the Catholic Church.

ELS - could you please post some photos to this thread? Thank you!

[bboop]

ooohh, scantily clad actresses in Brazil? That is a tough crowd indeed. As opposed to what he might find in the US or Europe??

[bboop]

Yes, we watched it as much as we could. VERY exciting. Such a great Pope. He is so bold and courageous. And I thought the people loved him.

[monkapotamus]

Pope Benedict XVI embraces children as he visits the Fazenda Esperanca drug rehabilitation center in Guaratingueta, near the Aparecida sanctuary in Sao Paulo State, May 12, 2007.

[fatima]

Thanks monkapotamus,I love his little smile.:)

[SevenofNine]

That cool Monk

Pope is really enjoy himself I want him see dance GO BENNY GO BENNY GO BENNY