Edson Luiz Sampel, a Professor of the São Paulo Apostle Canon Law Faculty of the Archdiocese of São Paulo, Brazil, poses crucial questions about the Heralds of the Gospel: “If there are questions of serious fundamental problems within the group, why not apply in this case the fraternal correction taught by the Divine Master Himself, by offering the Heralds the opportunity to defend themselves?” We publish his letter hoping our readers enjoy his points of view.
Newsroom (22/09/2021 23:45, Gaudium Press) Those who boldly endeavor to destroy the Heralds of the Gospel behave similarly to parasites who, little by little, erode the structure of society. If the Heralds of the Gospel have any faults, we still undoubtedly see them as guardians of Christian values.
In fact, the Heralds know better than anyone how to infuse into their daily apostolate all that is contained within the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Fundamentally, the Heralds guard orthodoxy in the institution of the Church, a Church increasingly humiliated by a Protestantized Catholicism.
There are those who hate the Heralds of the Gospel for their unblemished chastity: the practice of chastity, another value which is undermined in today’s society and scorned within certain sections of the clergy, as evidenced by the reports of scandals that abound in the press.
Surely, the valuable assistance of the Heralds of the Gospel in increasing the “Christian soul” in the hearts of the laity should be emphasized. Society, on the verge of crumbling, as we have already stated, is still Catholic, thanks once again to the undefended, even criticized, work and values of the Heralds of the Gospel. Nor are they the only ones who help the laity.
However, in the footsteps of Dr. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira -an eminent layman- the Heralds of the Gospel, composed of these young men and women of immaculate character, fight the most difficult battle. And in the battle they do not shrink from persecution.
The tormentors of the Heralds, granting no recourse, come out fiercely against the group and push for canonical suppression. But if there are questions of serious fundamental problems within the group, why not apply the fraternal correction taught by the Divine Master Himself, by offering the Heralds the opportunity to defend themselves?
Certainly, the competent authorities have the power to do this, and I hope that they will, so that the spiritual battle for the healing of a sick society does not become even more stagnant.
Certainly the most loving Pope Francis, a man of merciful heart, will watch over and ensure a balanced and fair judgment, preserving within the Church the blessing that is the Heralds of the Gospel. The Heralds –outstanding catechists of the laity who play a vital role in maintaining the “Christian soul” in an overwhelmingly secularized society.
Edson Luiz Sampel
Professor of the São Paulo Apostle Canon Law Faculty of the Archdiocese of São Paulo, Brazil
Compiled by Sandra Chisholm
