André Dias:
“We cannot
forget that
Spiritist
organisations
are made up of
volunteers”
The president of
the Spiritist
Centre Caminho
da Luz, in the
north-eastern
Brazilian city
of Salvador,
talks about
the
work carried out
by the
organisation
|
André Dias
(photo), 56,
was born in a
Spiritist family
in the Brazilian
city of
Salvador, in the
state of Bahia.
He joined the
Spiritist
Movement as a
young child, but
dropped out
later to return
when he was 23.
He has worked in
many areas in
the Spiritist
Movement. He is
now the
president of the
Spiritist Centre
Caminho da Luz,
founded on
|
September 16th
2010 in the
Petromar
neighbourhood of
Salvador. In
this interview,
the talks about
the work carried
out there and
other issues
concerning the
Spiritist
Movement in
Brazil: |
How did you come
in contact with
Spiritism?
I believe my
first contacts
took place in
previous lives,
where the seeds
of these
wonderful
Teachings were
probably sowed.
In this life, I
had the
privilege of
being born from
Spiritist
parents. I
remember that my
father used to
take me to the
Spiritist Union
of Bahia, in the
city centre. I
was seven years’
old. I still
have a picture
taken there at
the time. My
father was in
charge of the
Spiritual
healing area. He
looked after our
brothers and
sisters in need
and treated
everyone who
knocked on the
doors of the
organisation
with love and
respect. That
period of my
life has left an
important
legacy, a time I
treasure,
especially
because of the
altruism of my
father. I was
tought the
Gospel of
Jesus. My
mother, a very
calm person, a
Spiritist and a
true lioness,
looked after all
of us. We were
nine brothers
and sisters.
You have carried
out a number of
tasks and jobs
in Spiritist
Centres. Which
ones meant the
most to you and
why?
All of them were
very important.
Each one had its
own peculiarity
and showed us a
new way of going
though life.
Courses and
seminars: The
study of the
theory behind
Spiritism
provides us with
new tolls and
the opportunity
for in-depth
reflection,
proposing a new
lifestyle.
Counselling: It
is a true
learning
experience.
Everyone who
intends to be
Christian should
work in this
area.
Visiting homes
and hospitals:
This is an area
that really
touches me
because of the
suffering and
pain you come in
contact with. We
all must
exercise piety.
This is a
learning
experience that
makes us see the
true value of
life.
Gospel in the
Home: This is an
opportunity to
collaborate with
those who are
willing to
introduce real
change to their
lives and their
homes.
Talks and
lectures: It is
a unique
opportunity to
contribute, by
taking the
Gospel to the
hearts of those
who are in the
room and who
need to hear
something that
will help them
deal with their
anxieties.
Mediumship
meetings: It
gives us better
understanding
about
reincarnation.
It is wonderful.
This is an
unknown, tenuous
world. When we
treat it with
respect we have
full backing
from the
Spiritual
Benefactors.
What efforts
have you been
making in order
to raise funds
to build the
Group’s own
building. How
can people help
you if they want
to make
donations?
We have been
promoting events
and asking for
donations. Those
who want to
contribute may
pay into our
account: Caixa
Econômica
Federal, branch
3871, oper. 003,
account 188-0.
What is your
assessment of
the Spiritist
Movement in the
city of
Salvador?
Despite the
efforts of the
Spiritist
Federation of
the State of
Bahia (FEEB) to
promote
unification, I
think it is
fragmented. Each
one gives what
they can. Many
fellow
Spiritists are
committed to the
truth. There are
many people
studying and
working hard to
get the Good
News into
everyone’s
hearts. We
cannot forget
that Spiritist
organisations
are made up of
volunteers. It
is a huge
effort.
Spiritism is
new, it deals
with and looks
after the
Spirit, which
carries a
baggage of
contaminated and
contaminating
ideas. Let us
not forget that
we come
originally from
other religions,
which were very
dogmatic and
domineering.
They were not
there to clarify
and enlighten
like Spiritism,
which follows
the legacy of
Christ: “Know
the truth and
the truth will
free you”.
What are your
final thoughts?
The motto of our
mission mission
and vision.
Mission: to put
into practice
what Spiritism
teaches, aiming
at helping
individuals and
the society to
change.
Vision: to be an
organisation
dedicated to the
excellence of
the studies of
Spiritism. “Love
yourselves and
educate
yourselves”.
“Know the truth
and the truth
will free you”.