Basing Oneself on an Author Is Not to Speak on His Behalf – Folha de S. Paulo, July 16, 1969

by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira

First, the good news.

I want to share this passage from a letter I was thrilled to receive with my readers.

“Today, I received São Paulo’s 1969 ‘Star Employee’ award. I wish to express my gratitude to the TFP. I owe my dedication to duty and love of work mainly to the social upbringing provided by the TFP.”

The letter is signed by a dedicated member of our labor sector: the young volunteer Albertino Coutinho, an electrician at the Squibb pharmaceutical company. He was awarded the 1969 ‘Star Employee’ title in the 6th “Bandeirante Worker” contest promoted by the Folha de S. Paulo daily and sponsored by Light Serviços de Eletricidade S.A.

Isn’t it true that words like these more than compensate for the annoyance that slanderous gossip can sometimes cause?

* * *

Under the leadership of its talented president, young lawyer Cosme Beccar Varela Hijo, the Argentine TFP has been achieving notable significant success in its campaign promoting an issue of the magazine Tradición, Familia, Propiedad against IDO-C and the “Prophetic Groups,” organizations actively infiltrating the Church. The magazine’s sales are very encouraging both in Buenos Aires and across the country. Additionally, a letter our Argentine brothers received from Most Rev. Alfonso Buteler, Archbishop of Mendoza, contains these inspiring words: “Your attitude and that of your collaborators is comforting. Not all the children of Holy Mother Church have turned their backs on you. There are still those who feel the holy pride of fighting for Her. You and your companions have understood that it is an honorable duty to defend the truth, unmasking the enemies lurking within the very ranks of the faithful. Do not abandon the fight. The Virgin Mother, who has crushed so many heresies, will make her intervention felt in this campaign for the truth and honor of the Church. From my position as an old Shepherd, I accompany you with my preaching, prayers, and blessing.”

* * *

Changing the subject, a sadness crosses my mind as I feel compelled to comment on the statements Cardinal Agnelo Rossi made to the press regarding our campaign against IDO-C and the “Prophetic Groups.”

Here is the report on the first part of that statement: “He [the Cardinal] has clarified that it [the TFP] is a civil society and not an ecclesiastical organization. He recognizes Catholics’ freedom to associate; however, he denies them the right to insist on identifying the Church with their associative or partisan position: ‘Tradition, Family, and Property’ speaks on its own behalf and does not correspond with the word and action of the Church.”

To our regret, we must defend ourselves, not only because of what he says but also because of the importance the cardinal’s high authority lends to his words. First, the accusation appears inaccurate. What does it mean for the TFP to “identify the Church with its associative or partisan position”? We are far from being a political party. We have no voters or candidates and do not seek public office. Regarding the mentioned “identification,” the most likely interpretation is that the TFP claims the authority to speak officially on behalf of the Church. A quick look through any of our numerous published works shows that we have never done so.

In fact, if we had done so, we would have acted like the “Prophetic Groups,” which aim to diminish or eliminate the powers of the Sacred Hierarchy and bring about an era of total lay emancipation. In other words, we would have become followers of the mistakes we criticize, despite all the effort, sacrifice, and misunderstandings involved.

When citing Church documents, our position can be summarized as follows:

1. Every Catholic involved in civic issues must follow Church teachings, as the Church itself mandates.

2. Thus, for example, if a Catholic considers the moral aspects of tenancy law, he must refer to the documents of the Ecclesiastical Magisterium because the Church is the teacher of morality.

3. In fulfilling this duty, a faithful Catholic does not speak for the Church but simply depends on her teachings. Relying on an author is quite different from speaking on his behalf.

However, civic problems are not only about moral principles. Each also involves specific issues where moral principles must be applied.

True, the TFP has stated its position multiple times when examining the specific details of these issues, but it has done so on its own responsibility. Therefore, with all due respect, I do not see how His Eminence’s references are relevant to us. Due to his heavy workload, His Eminence probably hasn’t had the chance to review our works. Some adviser must have misled him. Having clarified this, His Eminence will remove the burden of the serious and unpleasant accusation that we exceed our rights and “insist” on this wrongful action.

The other topic discussed in His Eminence’s interview is this: “He [the Cardinal] has reminded us of the Church of Christ’s noble motto: ‘Unity in essential matters, freedom in accidental matters, and charity in all matters.’ There may be communists in the large and scattered Brazilian clergy, but it is not the Church’s role to point fingers and denounce the black sheep. She is the first to condemn and censure, but she does so as a Mother and Teacher.”

We want to believe the reporter misheard His Eminence. It doesn’t seem credible that he would think it’s wrong to “point the finger” at communist clergymen (and thus apostates) while simultaneously “pointing the finger” at the TFP for reasons that, if true, would be much less serious.

Let me emphasize this point: Communist infiltration within Catholic circles in our country is undeniable. To see this, one only needs to consider the testimony of 1,600,368 Brazilians, including archbishops, bishops, priests, men and women religious, government ministers, high-ranking military officers, university professors, and magistrates, who signed a TFP petition to Pope Paul VI in 1968 urging action against this infiltration.

His Eminence clearly understands that such a notorious infiltration could not have occurred without involving communist clergy. Therefore, it is unacceptable for the cardinal to have described the presence of communist priests as a vaguely possible theory. As mentioned, the reporter likely misheard.

With all due respect to the holy purple, we feel compelled to address this matter regarding His Eminence’s interview.