O Consolador: What if your education level?

I taught at the Faculty of Odontology at UNESP (UNESP – State University "Júlio de Mesquita Filho") in Araçatuba. I also worked in the past as Pro-Rector for the Graduation area in the same University. I have also worked as a Researcher for The University of Sao Paulo (USP) and as a consultant for INEP/MEC (National Institute for Educational Studies and Research – INEP).
 

O Consolador: When did you first get in contact with Spiritism?

In Araçatuba, when I was eight years old.

O Consolador: How did this happen?

I went to a spiritist centre for the first time with my mother and then I went with my uncles. One of the reasons for my mother to take me was the fact that I would pass into a trance states sometimes. They would be similar to the ones described in the book “No Mundo Maior” (translated ‘In the Higher Spiritual World’). The more I went to the meetings, the less I would get into trance. I started to read The Gospel According to Spiritism, The Spirits' Book and also the following books written by Emmanuel; psychographed by Francisco Cândido Xavier: O Consolador (The Consoler) and A Caminho da Luz (Towards the Light). By the time I was 16 years old; I established the Youth Spiritist department and began to give lectures. I have also had support from my family; my wife even works by my side.

O Consolador: Which of the threes aspects of Spiritism (Science, Philosophy or Religion) attract you the most?

I have oscillated between the three aspects during all my life, but I now feel attracted to all of them.

O Consolador: What are your favorite Spiritist authors?

The Gospel According to Spiritism, The Spirits' Book and Emmanuel’s books are my preference, since I was a teenager.

O Consolador: You have been involved in several roles within the spiritist movement. Can you please tell us more about it?

In 1964, I founded the Youth Spiritist department at the centre “Nosso Lar”, in Araçatuba (SP). In 1965 I took part at the I Brazilian Meeting of Youth Spiritist centres which was held in Marília). I also became the representative of our institution at our local Spiritist Council. I participated at the foundation and management of the Spiritist Centre “Luz e Fraternidade” in Araçatuba; year 1972. I was the Director of the Municipal Spiritist Union of Araçatuba for a few years, and worked as President of the same institution from 1971 to 1986. I then joined the Management of the Union of Spiritist Societies of São Paulo (USE - SP) for four years. I took the Presidency role in 1990 until 2000. At this stage of my life, I was working in São Paulo. By the time of my retirement, I moved to Brasília to work and began to help at the Brazilian Spiritist Federation (FEB) and at the International Spiritist Council (ISC).

O Consolador: You are now the Director of the Brazilian Spiritist Federation (FEB). What do you have to get involved with in this role?

I am the Director of the Brazilian Spiritist Federation (FEB). I get involved with areas involving social communication. I am also the part of the Executive Committee of the the International Spiritist Council (ISC).
 

O Consolador: You also write books.  Which books have you written?

I have written several books; most of them edited by “O Clarim” and by the Union of Spiritist Societies of São Paulo (USE - SP). I have not published books in the English language, but they are available in Portuguese: “Dama da Caridade” (Ed. Radhu-SP), “Os Sábios e a Sra. Piper”, “Entre a Matéria e o Espírito”, “Família e Espiritismo”, “Laços de Família”, “A Família, o Espírito e o Tempo”, “Chico Xavier – O Homem e a Obra”, “Além da Descoberta – Brasil, 500 Anos”, “Espiritismo e Modernidade”, “Em Louvor à Vida” (in partnership with Divaldo P.Franco).

O Consolador: Why did you decide to write these books?

I have always read many books since my childhood. It’s always been quite easy for me to write, but my main motivation came from moments and contexts I went through my personal life.

O Consolador: Can you please tell us more about the International Spiritist Council (ISC)?

The International Spiritist Council (ISC) was founded on November 28th, 1992. It is an organization resulting from the unification, on a world wide scale, of Representative Associations from each Spiritist Movement within the various countries. It was founded in Madrid, Spain, with the support of the Brazilian Spiritist Federation (FEB). ISC objectives are: to promote solidarity and the fraternal union of Spiritist Institutions in all countries, as well as the unification of The World Spiritist Movement; to promote throughout the world the study and the dissemination of the Spiritist Doctrine in its three basic aspects: scientific, philosophical and religious; to promote the practice of spiritual, moral and material charity, according to the Spiritist Doctrine.

ISC promotes World Spiritist Congress every 3 years. We are now promoting the 6th World Spiritist Congress in Valencia, Spain, from the 10^th to the 12^th October. We are now hosting it in Europe but the next event will be located in the Americas. We promote documents that recommend the management of spiritist centres worldwide. We also promote seminars and courses to prepare spiritist workers, edit the Spiritist Magazine and spiritist books translated into different languages. In the end of 2009, the ISC launched books in Russian in the city of Minsk, which reinforces its proposal of disseminating Spiritist books in various languages. 

O Consolador: How many countries belong to the International Spiritist Council (ISC)?

We now have 33 countries that are members of ISC. Therefore, we also have 15 institutions in constant contact with us in other countries.

O Consolador: Do you believe with the establishment of the International Spiritist Council (ISC) Spiritism has been more disseminated worldwide?

Yes, without a doubt, it is helping to disseminate Allan Kardec’s books and the ones psychographed by Francisco Cândido Xavier.

O Consolador: How is TV CEI contributing to the dissemination of Spiritism worldwide?

TV CEI was the first Web TV spiritist worldwide; it transmits 24 hours a day. Since 2009 we have been transmitting it through several cable channels. It’s been well accepted in several countries. The live events transmitted have been seen by more than 40 countries, according to our stats. TVCEI now produces DVDs which are also well accepted.

O Consolador: How did EDICEI came live?

The International Spiritist Council (EDICEI-Publisher) came up with this idea in order to organise the editions of the International Spiritist Council (ISC) into different languages. This is a new project which is expanding massively but requires a lot of work as it’s been edited in 10 different languages.

O Consolador: The media has influenced the dissemination of spiritist concepts. Spiritist movies are being produced; soap operas are talking about it; you were even interviewed by a famous Brazilian presenter: Ana Maria Braga. What do you think of this media buzz?
 

Yes, the dissemination of spiritist concepts is happening through the media. It is time for us to reflect and be ready to welcome all those who become interested in Spiritism.
 

O Consolador: In the year 2010, we are commemorating the Centenary of Chico Xavier. How is the Brazilian Spiritist Federation (FEB) planning to celebrate it?

We are implementing the project “Centenary of Chico Xavier” this year, which was discussed and approved by the Brazilian Spiritist Federation (FEB). This project is being disseminated it in the media. The books ‘The Astral City’ and ‘Life goes on’, which were psychographed by Francisco Cândido Xavier, are now being filmed with the support of the Brazilian Spiritist Federation (FEB). The big contribution everyone can make will be to promote stimulus towards reading and the study of his books. This aspect will be shown during the very special event of 3rd Brazilian Spiritist Congress, promoted by FEB, and at the 6th World Spiritist Congress promoted by ISC.

When the Centenary of the publication of each of the Basic Works of Allan Kardec are commemorated it is important to recall that the Spirit Emmanuel, who wrote several books through the psychography of Chico Xavier, made mention of its great value and gave many appropriate explanatory comments concerning the Codification. The editorial lines of ISC, in making itself available to the Basic Works of Allan Kardec and the psychografic works of Chico Xavier, has at its objective contributing to the dissemination of the basic principles of Spiritism and offering guidance for the better functioning of Groups and the Movement as a whole.

The stimulus remains for us to always follow orientation from the fundamental guidelines of Spiritism, being the works of the Codification; plus a reminder that the greatest homage to the dedicated medium Francisco Candido Xavier will be the valorisation of his psychografic achievements.

O Consolador: What is Spiritism for you? How important is it in your life?