Pope Benedict XVI wrapped up his tour of Brazil today with action items for Latin America's ten remaining Catholics that include taking over the media and universities in the name of the faith. His five-day PR campaign through Brazil included the canonization of a 19th century priest and the chiding of capitalism and marxism for the problems affecting Latin America. In short, senstional buzz words worthy of headlines and Internet chatter were the order of the day during the Pope's visit which many predict will have little impact on the Church's declining numbers in Latin America.
I agree. Everyone loves a good spectacle, and the Catholic Church has become just that. So to gather throngs of "faithful" Christians on an airport tarmac is really no big deal and no sign at all that Brazilians are ready to trade in their bikinis for nun's habits. The Church's history in Latin America, from the Inquisition through the Marxist upheaval of the 60s, is a story of unabashed abuse and hunger for power. For every "saint" and "miracle" produced by the Vatican there is a story of corruption and ungodly behavior that has rightfully turned millions away from the Church.
Sadly, this doesn't mean that Latin America is becoming a beacon of progressive thought in the developing world. The church is losing its flock to the advent of born-again Protestant denominations -- churches that are as homophobic, repressive and power hungry as the Catholic Church.
The real story behind the Pope's visit to Brazil isn't that he's trying to save the country from wanton godlessness -- it's that Latin America is still embracing some backwards opinions on important social issues like reproductive rights and gay rights. In short, the story of repression continues with no end in sight.
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