Dear HLI Family,
Last week I had the privilege of visiting Sao Paulo, Brazil to participate in the Second International Congress on Truth and Life sponsored by Human Life International. The four-day Congress was organized to assist those working in the pro-life movement to have a better understanding of the critical issues facing the defense of life in Brazil and throughout Latin America. The first two days of the conference were attended by eight bishops and one hundred and fifty priests, seminarians and consecrated men and women. The final two days were for the laity, and over 350 people participated.
We were fortunate to have a diverse group of speakers approaching the subjects of truth and life from various perspectives. Mario Rojas (Latin America Director for HLI), Raymond de Souza (Director for Portuguese-speaking nations for HLI), Father Juan Carlos Chavez (HLI's Director for REDESSVIDA, a program of outreach to seminarians and priests in Latin America), Dr. Jorge Rafael Scala, Matthew Hoffman from LifeSiteNews, Dr. Piero Tozzi from Alliance Defense Fund, Father Luis Carlos Lodi Da Cruz (Provida Anapolis), Father Paulo Ricardo De Azevedo, Jr. (Cuiaba), Monsignor Juan Claudio Sanahuja (Argentina) and I gave presentations on subjects ranging from the proper language of the culture of life, to the truth about "population control," to UN policies and their impact on the culture of life.
The reality facing the Catholic Church in Latin America can be intimidating. Brazil was not so long ago a strong Catholic country with over 90 percent of its citizens practicing the faith. Now the Catholic population in Brazil hovers around 60 percent. The rise of anti-family policies and sentiments are continually undermining the culture of life in Brazil. One of these factors which undermine the family is very familiar to us in the United States: the promotion of the homosexual agenda. It is evident that governmental policies and the mainstream media are in support the homosexual agenda. As we have seen in the U.S., the aggressive nature of this agenda is obvious, especially in television programs and public advertisements which endorse the "gay" lifestyle, and equate it with the traditional family. Speaking out about this aggressive agenda brings harsh judgments from those who think that homosexuality a "right," but our brothers and sisters are speaking up more and more.
Another example of anti-life policies was noted by HLI's Mario Rojas in his presentation on "population control and global policies." He clearly showed through scientific data that Brazilians are at a moment of great consequence. The average Brazilian family is barely having more than the minimum number of children required to sustain population levels, which is 2.11 children per family. Eventually if the anti-life agenda has its way, Brazil will no longer have a population replacing itself, but gradually will shift to an aging population and society that cannot sustain itself, as we already see in nations like Russia and Japan. Mario spoke of policies that are designed to deceive the populations of the world into believing that the reasons for global economic and ecological problems are because of "overpopulation." He helped the participants to see this lie for what it truly is by using demographic studies from the UN and other global agencies that clearly reveal the opposite.
Recognizing the seriousness of Brazil's predicament, many Brazilians are choosing to defend their culture and boldly and courageously raise awareness among the people. The Congress's focus, as noted by one of the presenters, would make those present feel sick and defeated because so much has been accomplished by the supporters of the culture of death. However, Saint Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 speaks to this issue when he states:
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you.
Saint Paul understood that disciples of Jesus are a people of great hope and outstanding courage in the face of struggles. It was this message that the participants heard throughout the lectures, even as they faced the realities confronting them.
Participants agreed that a three-part strategy would be required to more effectively spread the Gospel of Life in Brazil and the region.
The first key is education. Often, promoters of the anti-life agenda employ deceptions and distort the truth to persuade others to their cause. For example, Doctor Piero Tozzi from the Alliance Defense Fund noted that there is no international law stating that abortion is a right that nations must afford to their citizens. In actuality it is the opposite: international law protects the rights of the unborn child. The myth of a "right" to abortion was spread by the twisting and manipulation of law in order to fit an agenda. We have seen the outcome of this in Mexico (2008) where the law protecting the unborn child was ruled unconstitutional because those promoting the culture of death were able to convince a body of magistrates that it was a violation of a woman's rights. Other Mexican states have proactively chosen to reaffirm the right to life, but the fight for life is still very active.
Secondly, it was advised that participants should network and build a stronger base of support in order to confront the now-entrenched anti-life establishment. The people of Brazil, and across much of Latin America, are facing the full concerted support of anti-life agendas by Marxist governments who are defending their positions, and strongly enforcing their policies, while squelching any resistance. In turn, the defenders of life must find ways to build support and add to their numbers in order to forcibly confront those promoting the culture of death and its agenda.
The third way to positively defend life and family is to confront those who claim to be Catholic, but who falsely represent the Church and her teachings on life. In his 2007 visit to Latin America, Pope Benedict XVI issued a challenge to the bishops of the region, saying, "The bishops must convince Catholics from all walks of life to bring the light of the Gospel into public life, into culture, economics and politics."
The issue facing many countries today is that Catholics who are serving in public capacities are not allowing their faith to be light and salt as they lead. Instead of using their newfound authority and responsibility to protect life and forward the culture of life, they undermine, and in some cases blatantly misrepresent, the Church and her magisterial teachings. This is a scandal!
My experience in Sao Paulo was a blessed one. I encountered such beautiful people hungry to live their faith and support the culture of life. Fear was not something they wanted to live - instead they are choosing to be courageous heralds of life. The gathering of mostly young people inspired me, and gave me a strong sense of hope. I am confident that change will happen.
Truth is a message that brings hope, strength and transformation. I saw a transformation in the faces of those gathered. Yes, the material was at times hard to accept. As one presenter noted, the participants may think the material is unfounded or far-fetched, but it is simply the truth. Nations of greater influence have used their strength to coerce the truth and enforce their policies of death. The only way to challenge such disregard is to bring it all into the light.
"Do not be afraid."
Please pray for the people of Latin America. A people of great faith are under attack. Some would say that we have enough problems here, and that they should fend for themselves; but let us not forget that we are brothers and sisters in Christ. If they fall, we also fall.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father Shenan J. Boquet
President, Human Life International
