The Bomb, the Star, and the Toad – Folha de S. Paulo, June 25, 1969

by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira

Three things have happened to you recently, dear reader.

A bomb has been thrown at you.

A star has shined with even greater brightness in your sky.

Within earshot, you could hear toads croaking louder from the bottom of their muddy pool.

* * *

Let us first address the bomb. It did not explode on you or your possessions. However, it injured you in something even more precious. The dynamite bomb, planted by an anonymous hand at a TFP headquarters in the early hours of the night, has exploded on your dignity. The enormous blast, heard in several neighborhoods, announced this grim fact to the entire city: they are trying to shackles Brazil and you, dear reader. They are striving to turn you, an independent Brazilian and a Christian, into a poor servant of the worst tyranny: terrorism.

What did the TFP do to deserve being honored by this bomb? It demonstrated conviction, courage, and effectiveness by standing up in 1961-1963 against Goulart’s agrarian reform program; later, it opposed a divorce bill and then protested against communist infiltration in the Church. Nothing else can explain such hostility toward our organization.

If any of these stands deserve to be punished with a bomb attack decreed by characters cloaked in anonymity, the same “punishment” extends to the 27,000 farmers who protested with us against Goulart’s reform based on their Christian conscience. It also applies to the 1,042,359 Brazilians who, faithful to Christ’s commandment, signed our petition for the indissolubility of marriage. Finally, it extends to the 1,600,368 Brazilians who, together with us, expressed their firm and unshakeable desire to see the Church free from communist infiltration.

If you are one of these convicts, isn’t it true that these bomb-planters tried to intimidate you? Isn’t it true that they insulted your Christian dignity by expecting you to back down while they wait for a moment to attack your possessions and your life?

Even if you didn’t agree with our various campaigns, dear reader, it’s not entirely true that your sense of dignity protests indignantly at seeing heartless conspirators trying to oppress millions of your brothers this way.

* * *

Now, for the star.

The TFP is distributing a special issue of Catolicismo, published under the auspices of the esteemed Bishop Antônio de Castro Mayer. This monthly cultural magazine features a notable collection of documents and commentaries revealing a widespread plot within the Church aimed at leading Catholics to atheism. It involves the IDO-C and “Prophetic Groups” conspiracy, which we have previously discussed. As you can see, the central theme is fundamentally religious. Therefore, from a legal perspective, the distribution of Catolicismo is grounded in the freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution. The public response to this issue of Catolicismo in several Brazilian capitals has been remarkable. In São Paulo alone, our young people sold 3,469 copies in just two days. The publication does not focus on sensationalist content and, due to its nature, appeals to an audience that appreciates reflection.

Hundreds of young people, including university students, merchants, workers, TFP members, and volunteers, sold newspapers downtown São Paulo on Monday. At one point, a group of kids who knew nothing about religious matters began to boo and insult the TFP youth. They clearly followed a well-planned scheme and used classic methods of agitation.

Why did the communists try to stop the distribution of a newspaper that spoke out against the New Church? Without looking into the details, the booing appeared likely to spread to other troublemakers around the square, as if to scare our friendly but defenseless audience.

However, the TFP young men responded with admirable poise. After briefly and moderately retaliating against some physical aggression from the troublemakers, the TFP members moved forward to the rhythmic chants of “aggressors, aggressors – freedom, freedom.” Confronted with this peaceful advance by the advocates of Tradition, Family, and Property, with their large red standards and capes adding an epic tone, the crowd retreated. This was the key moment in a struggle that TFP’s firmness and patience prevented from turning bloody.

At that moment, a star shone brighter on your horizon, O reader. It was the affirmation of a young, heroic, and orderly Brazil putting to flight an anti-Brazilian, hateful and relentless mob; an inauthentic Brazil “made in” Havana, Beijing, or Moscow.

* * *

Finally, the toads croaked louder. Amidst an invariably TFP-friendly audience, many more vehicles—including luxury cars—drove by our stands at full speed on Sunday, shouting communist-inspired insults.