A highly surprising and encouraging note of the Brazilian Episcopal Conference, the largest Conference in the world, in a nation where the Church has been under the siege of wealthy Evangelical sects and strange pseudo-Catholic groups for decades (source and tip: Fratres in Unum).
Pastoral Note of the Presidency of the CNBB [Brazilian National Bishops' Conference] on certain questions related to the improper use of the words "Catholic", "Catholic Church", "Clergy", and others
The Brazilian National Bishops' Conference - CNBB, in the defense of truth and freedom, has considered appropriate to make public this Pastoral Note, destined to the members of the Episcopate, of the clergy, to the religious, and to all the lay faithful.
The use of names, titles, symbols, and institutions proper to the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church by other religious denominations different from it, can create mistakes and confusion among the Catholic faithful. In these cases, the use of the words "Catholic", "Diocesan Bishop", "Episcopal vicar", "diocese", "clergy", "cathedral", "parish", "Priest" ["Father"/padre], "Deacon", "Friar" ["Brother"/ frei] may lead to mistake and error. People of good will may be led to attend these religious buildings, believing that they are communities of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church, when, in fact, they are not. For this reason, the Church has the duty of clarifying and alerting the People of God in order to avoid probable harm of a spiritual and pastoral nature.
Therefore, we are bound to alert the Catholic faithful to the existence of some religious groups, such as the self-entitled "Catholic charismatic church of Belém", and other similar denominations, that, despite defining themselves as "Catholic", are not in communion with the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, and are not part of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church. For this reason, all religious rites and ceremonies celebrated by them are illicit for the Catholic faihful. It is thus eagerly recommended to the faithful not to attend the buildings where they assemble, nor to collaborate or participate of any celebration promoted by these groups. Let us pray that the unity willed by Jesus Christ may fully take place.
Brasilia, DF, November 30, 2011Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno de AssisArchbishop of AparecidaPresident of the CNBBAbp. José Belisário da SilvaArchbishop of São LuisVice-President of the CNBBBp. Leonardo Ulrich SteinerAuxiliary Bishop of BrasliaGeneral Secretary of the CNBB
