For his first visit to Latin America as Pope, Benedict XVI chose Brazil, a nation with more Roman Catholics than any other. He has many concerns in a huge country where immorality is so rampant that, according to its President, almost a third of schoolgirls between 14 and 17 are absent because they are pregnant. Abortion is generally against the law but the World Health Organisation estimates that there were over a million illegal abortions last year.
Yet, talking to journalists on the flight to Brazil, the Pope caused surprise by declaring that his “biggest worry” in the region was the loss of millions of his flock to Protestant churches. Though much Brazilian Protestantism is Charismatic, and is therefore in danger of adding to the Word of God through what are claimed as fresh revelations, yet, at least in theory, Protestants believe in the fundamental authority of Scripture alone.
According to a recent study, about 64% of Brazilians are Roman Catholic, but this is down from 89% in 1980. The Pope’s reaction was: “We need to find a convincing response”. But where now is the self-confidence of Rome’s past? Her one foundation has always been the unqualified authority of the Church; when that fails to convince those brought up as Roman Catholics, she has nowhere else to turn. A BBC correspondent makes the interesting comment: “To the converts, the evangelicals offer the chance of redemption now, rather than in the afterlife, as well as a social network and help with problems like drink or drugs. In contrast, Catholic rituals can seem stuffy and out-of-touch with day-to-day reality for most Brazilians.”
The Pope also seemed to indicate to journalists that he was backing church officials in Mexico City on abortion – a subject also being debated in Brazil. These officials had said that politicians who supported a new law permitting abortion would be excommunicated, as would medical workers who performed abortions. However, it was later reported that “a Vatican spokesman later clarified the issue, saying the Pope did not intend to excommunicate anyone”, but that “legislative action in favour of abortion is incompatible with participation in the Eucharist” and therefore “politicians exclude themselves from communion”. This sounds much more like spin than clarification, but Rome is notoriously unwilling to excommunicate; even priests who have committed serious crimes against children have merely been shunted to another parish.
In Sao Paulo, to the cheers of up to a million of his followers, the Pope canonised for the first time a native-born Brazilian, Friar Antonio Galvao (1739-1822). He is remembered for producing Latin prayers to the Virgin Mary written on little bits of paper and rolled into tiny balls; when they were swallowed – so it is claimed – they cured a whole list of ailments. His “pills” are still being dispensed by 14 nuns, at a rate of 10 000 a day during the run-up to the canonisation. Such is the degree of superstition sanctioned by the Roman Catholic system.
The downturn in Roman Catholic influence in Brazil was confirmed at the Pope’s final mass, held near Sao Paulo; although about 200 000 people attended, this was less than half the number predicted by church officials. How we should long for a time when, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the bright light of the gospel will so shine everywhere that all such superstitious darkness and idolatry will disappear completely!