Corcovado or Ant? – Folha de S. Paulo, April 25, 1971

Rio de Janeiro: The statue of Christ the Redeemer stands dominant on Corcovado Mountain

Marriage is a contract through which spouses unite to perpetuate the species, raise their children, and help each other with life’s necessities.

This contract is inherently indissoluble because none of its noble purposes can be fully achieved if its dissolution is left to the spouses’ discretion.

To enhance the dignity of the marriage covenant and promote its stability, Our Lord Jesus Christ elevated it to the status of a sacrament, thereby closing the door to divorce for everyone and forever.

Because of its dual sacred and indissoluble nature, Christian marriage provides the family with stability and strength that distinguish it from the pagan family, which was linked to idolatrous superstitions, marred by polygamy, and weakened by the inherent instability of divorce.

Since the family is the foundation of society, it’s clear how much the entire social system has benefited from the sanctity and stability of marriage. This is a key reason why Christian civilization has progressed much further than other types of marriage and family structures.

We must see the institution of the sacrament of marriage as a wonderful gift from Our Lord Jesus Christ to both individuals and nations throughout history. This gift reflects His infinite wisdom and is a result of His endless goodness.

This is not merely my opinion. It is what the Holy Catholic Church has consistently taught about marriage and family. This has been true from its earliest days to the present and will continue until the end of time. It is a sacred and inviolable doctrine that no Catholic can deny without placing himself “ipso facto” outside the Church, for the sacramental nature and indissolubility of marriage were defined by the Council of Trent.

All of this, which to me, as to every Catholic soul, is exciting and enchanting, appears to Mr. Nelson Carneiro to be flawed and in need of reform.

I’m unsure about what the senator-elect believes regarding Our Lord Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, he was elected with the support of hundreds of thousands of Catholic votes from Guanabara, while many priests focused on their immediate tasks, enjoyed sports fandom, or dedicated themselves to fueling class struggle. The truth is that, for Mr. Nelson Carneiro, the work of the Man-God seems weak and in need of urgent repair.

In his eagerness to correct Our Lord Jesus Christ, he has just asked the Senate to include divorce in the country’s legislation.

Many people across all areas of public opinion, eager to challenge, disrupt, and loosen everything — in short, to demolish — have supported the divorce advocate with hope and joy. This is an indirect but strong proof that divorce is truly destructive!

Anything is possible today. If a loud, pro-divorce candidate can be elected by a Catholic electorate and, as a result, by anti-divorce voters, it is understandable that a bill legalizing divorce would pass with support from Catholic senators and congressmen, who represent the world’s largest Catholic population.

In my opinion, though, the chances of a successful divorce bill are very slim. The moral authority of religion in our country is so strong that everything rests in the hands of the clergy. If they speak out—clearly, loudly, consistently, and without stopping—the country’s Catholic conscience—people and lawmakers—will wake up from their sad and understandable apathy, making it impossible for Mr. Nelson Carneiro to pass the divorce bill just as an ant cannot move the Corcovado Mountain.

Will the clergy act accordingly? Recent events suggest they might. I understand that Cardinal Scherer, the Archbishop of Porto Alegre, has already spoken out against the Nelson Carneiro bill. Likewise, Most Rev. Lucas Neves, Auxiliary Bishop of São Paulo, has expressed opposition. I read in O Estado de S. Paulo an interview with Monsignor Tapajós, the director of the Clergy Welfare Institute, who also opposes the bill, and I appreciated his stance. Nor could I expect anything different from a priest whose intelligence deserves greater recognition than it has received (I am above suspicion in saying this, as we disagree on many points). True, Monsignor Tapajós’s interview contains a significant inaccuracy, but it is clearly due to a lapse on the part of O Estado.

I hope statements like these grow and form a true chorus. I look forward to the CNBB (National Conference of Brazilian Bishops) taking the lead in this effort. I have reason to believe this because its secretary, Bishop Ivo Lorscheiter, assured the press that it would issue a statement by the 28th of this month. After that, I expect to see all Catholic groups and individuals join in enthusiastically, with energy and passion.

Catholics may disagree on many issues, but there appears to be consensus on this one. There are reasons to believe no crucial points will be missed. Any voice that goes unheard, any dissent that arises, will inevitably lead to scandal and shame.

Some readers might ask, “Well, Dr. Plinio, you claim that all of Brazil is Catholic, and ipso facto against divorce. Doesn’t your urgency and insistence on anti-divorce action suggest that you don’t trust your own statement and fear a victory of divorce?” This is a question some readers might pose, and I am glad to respond.

Public opinion is confused and fluctuating amid the chaos of modern times. This results in cycles of excessive excitement and fatigue. Catholic opinion, in particular, is stunned and so drained that it is far more vulnerable to discouragement and exhaustion than to enthusiasm. No surprise there. Just think of the audience Pope Paul VI granted to young women in the skimpiest shorts.

Only a great effort can succeed in inspiring, coordinating, and leading Brazil’s vast and unfortunate Catholic crowds into action. If this effort is made in earnest, victory is guaranteed. Mr. Nelson Carneiro will be the ant, and the Catholic majority will be Corcovado Mountain. Conversely, if this work lacks the necessary scope and energy, divorce will be like Corcovado Mountain, and nearly all of Brazil, including us, will be the ant.

In short, everything depends on the CNBB. As long as it commits itself to the fight, it will undoubtedly succeed.

The facts suggest that it has already taken on the role of Corcovado.

Mr. Nelson Carneiro, an experienced and resourceful politician, seems to have already recognized the emerging challenges. This is probably why he praises the CNBB when explaining his draft bill, subtly encouraging the bishops to negotiate by accepting a conciliatory solution.

What might that be? The quick-witted politician certainly already has it in mind. Will he suggest a “mini divorce” to sway Catholic opinion by claiming it’s to prevent a bigger problem, which is the approval of his original “divorce” bill?

This hypothesis is utterly unacceptable. You can’t weaken the Church’s significant moral influence with such defeatist ideas. In our situation, any form of compromise is impossible. The CNBB can only serve two roles: like the peak of Corcovado Mountain or like an ant.