Give Them A Saint and a Scolding

The Pope's visit to Brazil continues. Yesterday he gave Brazil it's first native-born saint ---Antonio de Sant'Anna Galvao -- a Brazilian Franciscan at the turn of the 19th century. He is credited with many miracles by his followers who ingest Galvao pills, small pieces of paper with prayers written on them. He's especially noted for helping women through difficult childbirths. Of course this is quite exciting.

But, as he was giving them a saint, he pounded on his theme of sexual purity, virginity, etc. And of course, he made clear that Brazilians must stick to the prescribed liturgy -- something many Brazilian Catholics apparently deviate from. Brazil is, after all, home to a large Charismatic Catholic community.

Little to nothing was said, apparently about the other pressing issues -- poverty, etc. His message was of political quietism and separation from political involvement by priests and bishops. The LA Times article summarizes the Benedict's message as:

The pope gave scant mention to other problems that many Brazilians consider urgent, such as the pursuit of social justice. Instead, he sketched a Catholicism he described as authentic but one many Brazilians see as rigid and inflexible.

And thus the disconnect continues.