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Paulo Henrique Bueno
(photo), an agronomist
in Carmo do Rio Claro,
is the president of the
local Spiritist Centre,
Allan Kardec. The group
is small but enjoys the
respect of the community
for its charity work and
all the activities
focused on the
dissemination of the
Spiritist teachings.
Tell us, first of all,
about Carmo do Rio Claro,
your home town.
The town lies in the
mountainous south of the
state of Minas Gerais,
with a population of
20,000 inhabitants,
whose main economic
activities are farming –
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especially the
production of
coffee, milk and
dairy products –
and arts and
crafts. The town
began as a small
gathering on the
banks of the
river Claro. Its
patron saint is
Our Lady of
Monte Carmelo,
according to the
Catholic
tradition. |
How many Spiritist
groups are there in the
town?
There’s only one. It all
began in the house of
Maria Amélia Bueno,
where we used to gather
on Sundays to study the
Gospel According to
Spiritism and for
healing. Friends and
people who were
interested in Spiritism
used to come to our
house on a weekly basis,
and that’s how the
Spiritist Centre was
born.
What is the reaction to
Spiritism in such a
small town, in a
predominantly Catholic
country?
There is less and less
prejudice of all sorts
in the town. If we talk
specifically about
Spiritism, I must say
that the dissemination
of the teachings in the
last few years in
Brazil, on TV, on the
media in general, in the
cinema, has made it
easier for people to
understand and accept
the main principles, or
at least to respect
Spiritism.
You host your main
events at the local City
Council. How did you get
the opportunity to have
access to such
comfortable and
convenient facilities?
The facilities are
indeed excellent, with
plenty of space and
comfort for all who come
to our events. We must
thank the local
councillors who have
been so generous,
knowing for certain that
the citizens who taking
part will benefit in
some way.
How often do you gather
in bigger events? Do you
have a scheduled yearly
event?
Our events take place
according to the
availability of the main
Spirists speakers. But
we have a yearly
meeting, which this year
took place in September.
From next year, it will
take place in May.
What do you do to
encourage local
interaction with other
Spiritist groups?
We have been spreading
our network and making
new contacts. We
Spiritists are well
aware that we must work
together. We try as
often as we can to go to
other towns and cities
to give lectures and
speeches and we always
welcome our fellow
Spiritists who work on
the dissemination of the
teachings.
What other tools you
have to publicise
Spiritism in the town?
We have a Spiritist Book
Club, with 60 members at
the moment.
Any other thoughts you
would like to add?
Every day I’m more
amazed by the help we
receive from High Above.
When we make a
commitment to put into
practice any project
concerning Spiritism, we
feel stronger and
there’s always a friend
to offer a helping hand,
and making it possible
to carry on with this
wonderful mission.
Your
last words…
Let’s carry on!
