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Among the main
achievements of
the Spiritist
Movement in what
is known locally
as the Land of
the Presidents
are a clinic for
drug and alcohol
addicts and a
regular radio
programme that
was first
broadcast nearly
20 years ago.
Lúcio Munhoz, a
tradesman in São
Borja and
Spiritist since
age 20, tells us
more in this
interview:
Please begin by
letting us know
a bit more about
the city of São
Borja.
It is located on
the west of
Brazil’s
southernmost
state, Rio
Grande do Sul,
on the border
with Argentina.
There is a
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bridge in São
Borja linking to
Argentina. The
city is part of
the Brazilian
history, as you
mentioned. The
population is
descended mostly
from Spanish,
German and
Italian
immigrants, with
a predominantly
rural economy,
based on cattle
raising the rice
crops. |
How many
Spiritist groups
are there in the
city?
Six groups, of
which three are
affiliated to
the Spiritist
Federation of
São Borja. We
make a concerted
effort to
coordinate our
actions and
activities. Six
other Spiritist
groups, from
nearby towns,
are also
affiliated to
our local
Federation.
What group are
you linked to?
Associação
Espírita José
Ferreira de
Moraes, founded
in 1929.
I give lectures
and public
speeches and I
am a member of
the board of
directors.
Tell us more
about the radio
programme.
It’s called
Spiritism: a new
light for
humankind
and it goes on
air every
Saturday at
midday, for an
hour, at the
local MW radio
station Cultura.
It has been
broadcast
uninterruptedly
for more than 17
years. Our aim
is to discuss
subjects
associated with
the Spiritist
Doctrine and up
to date subject
to be analysed
under the light
of Spiritism.
For those who
want to listen
online, the site
to go to is
www.radiofronteira.fm.com.br.
What is the
feedback you get
for the
programme?
Very positive,
as it reaches
cities across
the state.
What is in your
opinion the most
important aspect
of having such a
transmission?
It is indeed the
fact that we can
take our message
to many
locations across
the state and
reach some
smaller towns.
How about the
rehabilitation
centre you’ve
just opened?
The Therapeutic
Community Chico
Xavier, as we
named it, began
operating in
2010. It is
aimed at helping
drugs and
alcohol addicts
who come to us
seeking
treatment. It is
a non-profit
organisation and
it also assists
family members
of those
suffering from
addiction. We
have forty beds,
looked after by
a team of
coordinators,
psychologists
and social
workers –
assisted, as you
would expect, by
the Spiritual
World through
our work in our
Spirtist Centre,
José Ferreira de
Moraes, which
meets every day
of the week.
Is the rehab
centre
associated to
your Spiritist
group?
Yes.
What would you
like to say
about your
efforts to
promote regional
integration
among the
different
groups?
We are always
working towards
greater
integration and
we take part in
all meetings of
the State’s
Federation.
Considering your
proximity to
Argentina, do
you get the
participation of
brothers and
sisters from the
other side of
the border?
No, there are no
Argentines
taking part in
our meetings or
other
activities. The
Spiritist
Doctrine is
completely
unknown in
Argentina and
there is no
Spiritist group
in the nearest
city, Santo Tomé,
in the province
of Corrientes.
Your final
thoughts…
I am very glad
to share the
news from the
Spiritist
Movement in the
state of Rio
Grande do Sul.
Should you need
anything, don’t
hesitate to get
in touch.
