HLI missionary Trip to BRAZIL - Reported by Raymond de Souza, April 2009

On April 16, 2009, a grand event took place in the Archdiocese of Olinda and Recife: the International Pro-Life Cardinal von Galen Award was granted to Archbishop José Cardoso Sobrinho in the crowded auditorium of the prestigious Damas College, in Recife.  

The Award was granted by Human Life International, the largest pro-life movement of Catholic orientation in the world, which counts on affiliated groups in 86 countries. I have the honor to be its Program Director for Portuguese-speaking countries.

The strong impact provoked by the event among the participants still echoes in many places in Brazil and the world.

THE MISSION

I was charged by the Rev. Fr. Thomas Euteneuer, President of HLI, with the mission to fly from the United States to Recife, taking with me the von Galen Award so that it might be personally delivered to Archbishop Cardoso by our representative in Rome, Monsignor Ignacio Barreiro-Carámbula, who also traveled to Brazil for that specific purpose.

Although I am accustomed to address large auditoriums in many countries, I was deeply impressed by the enthusiastic and euphoric reception of the public who attended the homage given to Archbishop Cardoso.  Their joy was noticeably immense and contagious-equally as great was the well-deserved joy of the recipient of the homage.

Archbishop Cardoso had acted like a hero in a very difficult situation: he did not withdraw a single step from his battlefield, in spite of the systematic calumnies spread by the abortionist media and ignorant politicians-and especially in spite of the criticisms he received from various colleagues in the episcopate, both in Brazil and overseas.

But the precious support of ecclesiastics and lay people was not lacking, as I could observe from the presence of practically the totality of the archdiocesan clergy at the event.

In their characteristic mania to play down pro-life events, the media calculated the presence of 1,200 people in the auditorium, but from what I was able to observe, there were there over 2,000 people. Four Bishops, many priests, seminarians and religious of both sexes attended the event, besides people from the most varied parishes in Recife and other cities.

A WATCHFUL SHEPHERD

Over 2,000 people packed the auditorium of Damas College in Recife, Brazil for the presentation of the Cardinal von Galen Award.

He simply followed the principles of the Church and of Canon law, principles that appear to have been forgotten by many Bishops these days. He said, "If I had remained silent during that episode, I would have been an accomplice of the crime. I fulfilled my duty."

Archbishop Cardoso thanked all those who cooperated in one way or another in the fight for the lives of three children and also for the messages of support that came to him from many dioceses of Brazil and other countries. "I offer this homage especially to the two babies that were murdered and to their little mother as well," he concluded.

Others were also the recipients of homage from Human Life International with the gift of silver medals: the Vicar General of the Archdiocese, Monsignor Edvaldo Bezerra; the Chancellor, Father Cícero Ferreira; the Rector of the minor seminary, Fr. Moisés Ferreira; the parish priest of Alagoinha, Fr. José Edson; and the Archdiocesan Attorney, Dr. Márcio Miranda.

Mons. Ignacio Barreiro-Carámbula, who represents Human Life International in Rome, said in his address: "I think it is very important to emphasize the protection of innocent human life. For this reason, we grant this Award to Archbishop Cardoso." 

In my capacity as envoy of Human Life International from the United States, it was my duty to draw people's attention to the courage shown by the Archbishop, as well as to criticize the pro-abortion media for their partiality and the lukewarm clergy for their inertia. Archbishop Cardoso dared to face everything and everyone, unafraid of unpopularity. He did not succumb under the attacks of the media, because he was not doing something evil, but something good instead.

A JOYOUS OCCASION

The joy and enthusiastic support of Archbishop Cardoso was well illustrated by this report from one of the people present:

"When Archbishop Cardoso was invited to come forward to receive the Cardinal von Galen Award, everyone in the auditorium was thrilled with joy.

"Many were moved to tears, others shouted with joy, others sung, and I was there near the Archbishop, taking photos in my cell phone, seeing his countenance overflowing with joy, thus making it my joy to see him.

The presence of nearly the entire archdiocesan clergy showed how greatly supportive were the local Church members.

Archbishop José Cardoso has already led by his good example. May many Bishops, both in Brazil and overseas, follow it in their own dioceses, because they are responsible for the souls that God Our Lord entrusted to their care.