Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jun 3, 2004 / 22:00 pm
Cardinal Eusebio Scheid of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, said this week the media have in important role to play in combating the spread of religious sects in the country, according to sources from Aid to the Church in Need in Brazil.
ACN’s General Secretary in Brazil, Antonia Willemsen, presented a report on the subject this week, explaining that Cardinal Scheid emphasized the value of the media as an “effective weapon” against sectarian groups, especially the “Universal Church of the Kingdom of God.”
The report also highlighted the work of Cathedral Radio, founded by Cardinal Eugenio de Araujo Sales in Rio de Janeiro, and called for support for Catholic media as one of the priorities of ACN.
“These religious sects have concentrated on their media presence in Rio and Sao Paulo--in the rest of Brazil they have a much greater presence. Their growth is quick and dangerous at the same time,” said Willemsen.
In particular, he added, the “Universal Church of the Kingdom of God has been preaching the prosperity gospel: give us your money, homes and possessions and you will receive double in return.”