In a statement entitled "Religious Persecution of the Catholic Church in Brazil?", catholic association claims to have been the target of religious discrimination and qualifies the claims as partial, offensive and slanderous.
The Press Department of the Heralds of the Gospel published on August 28, 2019, an extensive report entitled "Persecution of the Catholic Church in Brazil?", in which the fallacious statements contained in a report entitled "The secrets of Heralds: what hide the walls of castles inhabited by ultraconservative Catholic group", published on August 23, 2019 by the news portal Metropolises.
The article of Metropolises, accompanied by a video, is based on interviews of former members and family members linked to the Heralds of the Gospel, and points out throughout the text supposed irregular practices of this association against civil and ecclesiastical laws, such as: parental alienation, brainwashing, sexual harassment, rape, physical and psychological violence, bullying, rape and correspondence control that children from the age of 7 could be suffering within the institution. It also aims to explain the "mysterious" routine of young people in the female and male sector, points out complaints with the Public Prosecutor's Office of São Paulo (MPSP) — which claims to have had access to matters that run in secrecy of justice – presents lessons about what happened with the late Go. Livia Natsue, as well as conveys slander slander regarding the collection and administration of financial resources of the association, among other accusations.
The Heralds of the Gospel expressed their displeasure at the partiality conveyed in the report, and highlights the alleged irregularities committed by the news agency:
"It is incomprehensible so partiality that it hurts the most basic principles of journalism (…). We are clearly in the presence of an attempt at religious persecution, violation of the constitutional rights of freedom of religion, conscience and worship, and perhaps an illicit association to delinquire, perpetrating crimes of injury, defamation and libelous denunciation, specifically typified by Brazilian law."
Asked by the Heralds of the Gospel to publish a response report on its website, the Metropolises portal did not comment.
For our readers, always interested in knowing the truths exposed in full, we will gradually publish the matter prepared by the press department of the institution.
I. INTRODUCTION
Ii. CHAPTERS OF THE REPORT
a) Boarding School: an institution recognized for centuries by advanced countries
b) Laws and rules exist for all
c) A manic and (partially) deaf accusation
d) The boomerang always returns
2. "Brainwashing" or conversion?
a) An antireligious media myth
b) Human rights for all
c) No one is obliged to be religious, but everyone is obliged to respect the faith of those of the
3. Mysterious death or vilipenium to the peace of the dead?
4. An impossible crime of alleged rape: We thank the MetropolisPortal for confirming the innocence and integrity of the Heralds of the Gospel
5. You will worship the Lord your God
a) A lesson from Catechism for children
b) A little more respect
6. Cherchez l'argent… – search for money
7. Religious discrimination continues
8. "Sect": anti-religious slogan
a) A modern but outdated vehicle
b) Tell me who you walk with
c) A typical persecutory tactic
III. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
1. In many words there is no lack of offense
2. Memory was also lacking
3. The most important "secret" finally revealed
IV. Conclusion