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Antônio Carlos
Navarro:
“Spiritism has
never had such a
high profile”
Our fellow
Spiritist
speaker from
Brazil’s São
Paulo state
talks about his
experience in
the
dissemination of
the Teachings
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Antônio Carlos
Navarro (photo),
from the city of
São José do Rio
Preto in the
Brazilian state
of São Paulo, is
a well-known
Spiritist. He is
also a volunteer
worker and
member of the
board of
directors at the
Spiritist Centre
Francisco
Cândido Xavier,
in his hometown.
In this
interview he
talks about his
experience in
the
dissemination of
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Spiritism.
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As a Spiritist
speaker with a
busy agenda, how
do you get your
motivation and
how do you
choose the
themes to talk
about?
There are
basically two
inner reasons
for what I do,
which are the
absolute
conviction in
the message of
Jesus and the
confidence that
Spiritism is the
promised
consoler and,
therefore, the
third revelation
and as such it
needs to be made
known to
everyone. As for
the themes, I
attempt to link
events,
situations and
knowledge share
by human beings
with what
Spiritism
teaches us,
especially in
The Spirits’
Book.
What particular
aspect of
Spiritism draws
your attention
in particular?
Its rationality
and the way in
which it sheds
light on every
aspect of our
lives and
reminds of the
Teachings of
Jesus.
What is your
assessment of
the Spiritist
Movement in
general?
Spiritism has
never had such a
high profile and
that is thanks
to the dynamic
approach of its
volunteers, who
work in all
different fields
and deal with
the three
aspects of the
Teachings:
philosophical,
scientific and
religious.
How about the
Spiritist
Movement in your
hometown?
It is
flourishing.
There are nearly
100 Spiritist
Centres in São
José do Rio
Preto. And all
the Groups I
know have
vibrant
activity,
combining the
study of the
Teachings with
the practice of
charity
according to
what the
Christian
principles.
What do you
believe is the
main challenge
in order to
reach an even
wider public
with the
Spiritist
message?
It is important
to clarify the
misconceptions
about Spiritism,
which is often
mixed up with
other
Spiritualist and
Afro-Brazilian
cults and,
perhaps for
that, is seen by
many as sinful
before God and
contrary to the
Teachings of the
Bible.
Is there
anything from
your experience
as a Speaker,
travelling the
country to
disseminate the
Spiritist
message, you
would like to
share with us?
I am deeply
touched by so
many people who
welcome us with
so much respect
and affection
wherever you go,
making us feel
like true
members of the
Spiritist
Centres they
attend.
What is the
reaction of the
public to your
talks?
There is a great
deal of interest
from the public,
but I bear in
mind that we
must always try
to talk about
something they
want to hear.
That is the best
way of achieving
best results and
conveying our
message.
Based on your
experience, what
assessment do
you make of the
Spiritist
Centres across
Brazil?
There is a great
diversity among
Spiritist
Centres. Each
one of them has
a particular
challenge and if
we respect and
understand that
we will learn a
new lesson every
day.
Is there
anything else
you would like
to add?
This is a time
of expansion in
the Spiritist
Movement and,
for that very
reason; time to
keep a close eye
on the
principles of
Spiritism and to
go ahead firmly
but carefully.
We will need to
study again and
again the books
of Allan Kardec
and other works
that make the
core of
Spiritism.
Finally, thank
you for this
opportunity
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