André Luiz Sobreiro:
“Spiritist Groups are
not as dynamic as they
should be”
The Spiritist speaker
and scholar says that
many Spiritist
Centres
he has visited along the
years lack a sense
of
direction and dynamism
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Our interviewee this
week is André Luiz Iesi
Sobreiro (photo),
a Spiritist volunteer in
Severínia, in Brazil’s
south-eastern São Paulo
state. He works as a
Physical Education
teacher. He is also an
active member of the
Spiritist Movement in
the area, writing
articles, delivering
speeches and
coordinating study
groups. These are some
of the subjects he
addressed in this
interview:
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What are the main
activities you carry out
in the Spiritist
Movement? |
I attend the Portal de
Luz Spiritist Centre,
where I take part in a
study group on the work
of Allan Kardec. I am
also a member of the
mediumship group, I
deliver a talk every
Friday and I am take
part in a study group on
the work of the
Spiritual Benefactor,
Emmanuel, on Sundays.
That is recorded and
made available through
the Internet, on Rede
Amigo Espírita (www.redeamigoespirita.com.br)
and in the blog
www.portaldeluzseverinia.blogspot.com,
where I also publish
articles on Spiritism.
Tell us a bit more about
the studies on the works
of Emmanuel.
We began by studying two
magnificent works by
Emmanuel, who is a great
educator: “A Caminho da
Luz” (Pathway to Light)
and “O Consolador” (The
Consoler). Both works
seem to merge at some
point, taking some
issues raised in one of
the books further and
expanding on them. They
complement each other.
In other points, they
address different
subjects. Our idea is to
begin studying other
books once we are done
with these works.
What is your view on the
many Spiritist Groups
you visit as part of
your activities as a
public speaker?
I see a lack of
direction. Allan Kardec
seems to be, for the
great majority of
Spiritists, a stranger.
There is a lack of
deeper and systematic
studies. I can see a
lack of unity.
Experiences are not
shared. But what hurts
the most is the lack of
interest in the
unification of Spiritism,
a project launched by
the great Bezerra de
Menezes. But thankfully
there is good news too!
We are getting good
media in Brazil.
Mediumship and
reincarnation are
mentioned regularly in
Brazilian soap operas
and films. That brings
attention from a wider
public to Spiritism and
brings more and more
people to Spiritist
Centres across the
country. We, Spiritists,
must study and be
prepared to welcome to
our Spiritist Centres
the newcomers, eager for
knowledge and
information.
Is the Spiritist
Movement in Brazil
dynamic enough? Can you
make any suggestions for
improvement?
There is very little
dynamism. Many personal
views are hidden under
the cover of theoretical
purity. There is a lack
of common sense to make
the distinction. There
is too much pride in
many cases. Many
directors remain in
charge of their
Spiritist Groups for
decades… That is very
sad. Experience must be
valued but ideas and
concepts must be renewed
and freshened up.
You say many directors
of Spiritist Groups
refuse to stand down.
But are there enough
people willing to take
on the responsibility
and replace them?
The problem is more
complicated than it
looks. We need indeed to
prepare new leaders. We
cannot leave Spiritst
Centres in the hands of
adventurers, of people
in tune with darker and
irresponsible Spirits,
who are engaged in all
sorts of initiatives to
undermine the Group. The
problem is not so much
to find someone
interested, willing to
take on the posts. The
problem really is to
find people capable of
doing a good job. We
will need to prepare
them.
You said that Spiritism
has enjoyed good media
in Brazil recently. What
can we do to make the
most of these
“favourable winds”?
We must study the core
works of Allan Kardec!
We must study them and
go as deep as we can.
The exposure of
Spiritism in the media
is certain to generate
greater interest in the
Teachings. Some will
come moved by curiosity,
others will envisage in
the Teachings a possible
solution to their
illnesses and sorrows.
If we really believe
that “there is no
salvation without
charity” then we must
make the most of these
“favourable winds” to do
good and help others.
To end this interview,
can you suggest a few
Spiritist books for us
to read?
First and foremost, the
Codification, by Allan
Kardec. It is difficult
to describe how
wonderful these books
are. Then, I recommend
the work written in
trance (or automatic
writing) by Chico
Xavier, which examines
and clarifies the
Gospel.
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