_WORLD WATCH______________________________
______________________BRAZIL____________________
Program to stem violence
A facet of family welfare
Cardinal Eugenio Araujo Sales of Rio de Janeiro has announced that his archdiocese will launch a project to educate the inhabitants of the Cidade Maravilhosa (Wonderful City) on how to prevent families from becoming victims of the increasing wave of violence.
The program, called “Rio for Peace,” will be launched in each Catholic parish, with the sponsorship of two local radio stations. The program will promote “a culture of mutual respect,” as well as offer tips of “urban wisdom,” aimed to prevent potentially harmful situations. According to official statistics, Rio has become the most violent city in Brazil, overtaking Sao Paulo and Bahia.
“Two years ago, I was talking to the Holy Father regarding how to protect the integrity of families, and he recalled the importance of having a comprehensive approach to the good of the family,” said Cardinal Araujo in announcing the campaign. “When violence brutally affects society, obviously it is also affecting the family.”
Back to Catholic World Report January 2001 Table of Contents