In the present interview, Francisco talks about topics related to the Spiritist Movement in his State and give us his opinion on quite a number of interesting matters that will for sure interest our readers.

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O Consolador: What made you become interested in Spiritism?

I needed to find answers for some of my personal conflicts. I used to be connected to Umbanda, which is an Afro-Brazilian religion that blends African religions with Catholicism.  One Father-of-Saint, who is a leader, told me and my wife our destiny was to follow the Spiritist Doctrine. He was the one who first took me to a spiritist centre in 1984. We went to the centre Unificação Kardecista Eurípedes Barsanulfo from Ribeirão Preto. 

O Consolador: What was your family’s reaction?

My family was ok with my choice. They even came with me to the spiritist centre. Our relatives also supported us. 

O Consolador: What roles have you performed in the Spiritist movement?

I was the Director of the Youth Spiritist Department, President of the centre Centro Espírita Paz Amor e Caridade for five mandates, present Council and Vice-President of the same Centre; President of the Regional Spiritist Union in Parana; Director of the Social Care Spiritist Department of the Spiritist Federation of Paraná; Vice-President of the Spiritist Federation of Paraná. 

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

I enjoy all the threes aspects of Spiritism as they are interconnected, but I feel attracted by the Philosophical and Religious side of the Doctrine. 

O Consolador: What are your favourite spiritist authors? 

Allan Kardec, Léon Denis, Camille Flammarion, Gabriel Delanne, Wallace Leal Rodrigues and Hermínio C. Miranda. I also admire the spirit authors Emmanuel, Joanna de Ângelis and Amélia Rodrigues. 

O Consolador: The disagreements in the Spiritist scene are reduced to a few. One of them talks about the fundamentalist Spiritism. To you, is Spiritism a religion?  

It is important to state that the Spiritist Doctrine enables us the free judgement. Anyone should use their rational thinking, but it is imperative to argue with conviction the existence of God and His action. Every thought that connects us to God, as the spirit Emmanuel stated, is the religious aspect of life. Religion is the act of connecting the creature to the Creator. Religare is the Latin word for "to reconnect, to bind together" which gave origin to the word religion. Even if we want to deny the feeling of religiosity in fact Spiritism is a religion. We don’t need to do any external cult, as Allan Kardec stated, as our faith is internal; it comes from our inner feelings, our soul. He even said in a speech given at The Parisian Society of Spiritist Studies: “Spiritism, gentlemen, is a Religion, since it talks about the Laws of God, its justice and future life.” (Source: The Spiritist Review, 1868)  

I respect the ones who don’t accept it as a religion, but I prefer to agree with the ones who believe Spiritism is the Promised Consoler. 

O Consolador: Another topic of controversy is a book written in France y J. B. Roustaing. What do you make of it?  

With all due respect, I don’t agree with these ideas. I believe in Doctrines that preach continuous progress. 

O Consolador: How long do you think it will take for Earth to be promoted from his current status, world of tests and atonement, to the condition of regenerating world, according to Saint Augustin, the word love will be written in all fronts and a perfect balance will ensure relationships?  

Our planet Earth is already changing from a world of tests and atonements, but there is no need to state how long it will take to become a regenerating world since we still have 990 years ahead within this Millennium. There is no need to rush. 

O Consolador: Do you believe Kardec’s statement is valid, in regards to updating the spiritist teachings periodically in the face of science’s advancements?

We, spiritists, find it difficult to interpret innovative ideas. I believe the Codifier, Allan Kardec, would not want to stop the progress of spiritist ideas, just as other previous doctrines have done in the past. We believe the Codifier mentioned the Spiritist Doctrine would need to be updated periodically in the face of science’s advancements because he was aware this would happen in the future. He even wrote in the chapter Theory of Prescience from Genesis many other spirits would come after him bringing new revelations, truths and ideas which would enhance the Spiritist Codification. Some of the pioneers’ spirits who came after him are André Luiz, Emmanuel, Joanna de Ângelis and so many others. It is important to highlight Allan Kardec said Spiritism, as a Doctrine, is a new and dynamic science. It is also a progressing philosophy and a religion that comes from the soul. It will walk in line with new discoveries as he stated: “Spiritism, marching hand in hand with progress, will never be overthrown because if new discoveries should demonstrate that it is in error upon a point, it would modify itself in regard to it. If a new truth is revealed, it accepts it” (Genesis, chap. I – Character of the Spiritist Revelation).  

It is interesting to note the scientific and philosophic advancements of the world are echoing the orientation already given by the spiritual benefactors in The Spirits' Book. This doesn’t mean there will be other new upcoming truths revealed; Spiritism will then accept it; walking side by side with science.   

O Consolador: How do you see the alternative therapeutic practice of apometria?

With all due respect, this is not a spiritist practice. It is imperative to understand Spiritism is a science, which is tested and sustained by the teachings which came from the spiritual world. On the other hand, apometria is a non-spiritist practice which doesn’t have a scientific or philosophical method backing it up. I do respect those who practice it, but those who want to study it should found an Apometric centre. Spiritism is not related to apometria.  

O Consolador: Is this practice adopted by spiritist centres linked to the Spiritist Federation of Paraná?

My understanding is that it should not be. This is not the orientation given by the Federation to its members. 

O Consolador: What should be the spiritist leaders’ attitudes in relation with the mass production of mediumship books that is now available in the market lately?

The spiritist leaders should continuously study the Doctrine to be able to split the good from the evil. It is important to fight for the purity of the Doctrine. As Allan Kardec pointed out in The Spirits' Book the diffusion of the light, the new revelation is intended for all mankind; but it does not claim a blind acceptance. It urges every one to examine the grounds of these ideas, since the Spiritist Doctrine is based upon reason. It will always be stronger than those who base their arguments upon personal interests or personalism. 

O Consolador: Do you believe: a) Allan Kardec and Chico Xavier are incarnations from the same spirit? b) André Luiz and the doctor Carlos Chagas are incarnations from the same spirit? c) Can disincarnate spirits get pregnant?

I believe these ideas mean a waste of time and a lack of focus. I don’t agree with these interpretations as they are not scientific proved. 

O Consolador: Would you say you are pleased with the spiritist movement in your region?

I believe the spiritist movement here is quite well established. The Spiritist Federation of Paraná has been dedicating itself to organising a logical, sensate and stable spiritist movement. The movement in our State is well known for that throughout Brazil. I believe we are working hard to improve many things since 2008, such as fraternity and mutual help amongst the groups, for example. The Spiritist Federation of Paraná is working constantly to unite the groups more and more. We now have 34 new spiritist centres affiliated to The Spiritist Federation of Paraná, which is a 10% increase in the total number of groups. We are very honoured to be working for the unification.  

O Consolador: What would you, as the President of the Spiritist Federation of Paraná, want to do but haven’t been able to so far?

Thanks to God, Jesus and the Spiritual Benefactors, we were able to do everything we planned so far. We do have other plans, which we will hopefully accomplish with the help of the spiritist movement and the spiritual guides. We want to launch officially the Training Centre Lins de Vasconcellos in Curitiba. This will be a complex where 400 people could be hosted. We are building there an auditorium; several study rooms and a dining-hall so that we can offer a remarkable place for the training of spiritist workers in our State. This could offer a place for the union of spiritist workers in our region. 

O Consolador: The Brazilian Spiritist Federation has worked hard with assistance care historically; mainly charity work. Would you say in Paraná there is a search for the education and evangelization of people, together with charity work?

The best path is self-enlightenment; the expansion of our inner knowledge. This leads us to understand faith without charity is not leading us anywhere. The Spiritist Federation of Paraná focuses in the spread of the teachings of the Spiritist Doctrine. We do a lot of social assistant work but we offer instruction to the less favoured. We have a project called Escola Profissional Maria Ruth Junqueira where 34 different courses are being offered in three turns for the last 50 years. We have instructed more than 16.000 students every year. This project is offered jointly with the public sector and is now called Fundação de Ação Social do Município de Curitiba. 

O Consolador: What do you believe the spiritists should do to act more actively within the society?

I believe we should take part in community, getting involved with the social problems, establish partnerships with private and public sectors, offering a serious contribution to the society. 

O Consolador: How do you see the level of criminality and violence which appears to increase everywhere in Brazil and worldwide? How can spiritists collaborate to change this situation?

Criminality and violence are a result from an ill society, which contains a majority of spirits who are also ill. This happens worldwide. The more men keep getting away from God by disobeying His laws, the more the society gets weaker, says Joanna de Ângelis. It is the duty of responsible religions, such as Spiritism, to help the spirits work on their inner reformation and search for real happiness. Individual and collective efforts are needed to make a difference in the present world.  

O Consolador: There are so many serious problems we are facing nowadays – terrorism, corruption, social inequalities, drug consumption, wars... What should be the top priority of the spiritist leaders worldwide?

The priorities should be: constant search for knowledge, inner peace and love. Spiritism doesn’t exist without Jesus. His teachings gives us a firm base for the Spiritist Doctrine. Spiritism without Jesus would be a Spiritism without God since the Master said, two thousand years ago: – For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it.  

The work of the spiritist leaders should be to dominate our imperfections and then disseminate the spiritist teachings as they console and orientate all of us.