Dom Helder Camara

(Peters, Hans / Anefo - Dutch National Archives, The Hague, Fotocollectie Algemeen Nederlands Persbureau (ANEFO), 1945-1989, Nummer toegang 2.24.01.05 Bestanddeelnummer 927-5427)

Dom Helder Camara was born on February 7, 1909 and dead on August 27, 1999.

“When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor, they call me a communist.” (Helder, the Gift: A Life that Marked the Course of the Church in Brazil)

Scripture quotation: Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. (Psalms 31:5)

Quotation from a Catholic social justice document: Liberation theology politicised the church's charitable work and brought criticisms that it was encouraging the armed revolutionary struggles that swept Latin America during the 1970s and 1980s. (Bellos, Alex. “Helder Camara”)

How did this person’s cause correspond to the foundational principles for a justice society as taught in God’s Law and reinforced by the prophets of the Old Testament?

Dom Helder Camara has founded the Women Workers’ Catholic Union in 1933, which is corresponded to the foundational principles for a just society that all human life deserves respect and vulnerable should be given special concern.

During the time that he was a bishop, he encouraged farmers to learn gospels to change their destiny. He is affectionately called “Bishop of the slums”, which reflects his special care for the poor. And this is corresponded to the principle that human liberty should be given respect and vulnerable needs special concern.

He has also established an organization which is called “Banco da Providência” to eliminate poverty and contend against social injustice, which is corresponded to the principle that vulnerable needs special concern.

How did this person's life demonstrate that God's justice reflects God's love and mercy?

Dom Helder Camara has been respected by people throughout his life and he has lived till the age of 90. He had been loved and protected by God.

He is essentially supportive of non-violence, but he is not opposed to using violence on the right occasions. Of course, he himself can never be a perpetrator. He can only treat violence with a neutral attitude from the perspective of a bystander. This embodies his mercy and is the embodiment of God’s mercy in his heart.

How did this person’s action in the world demonstrate that the Church is a sign and instrument of communion with God and the unity of the whole human race?

The church gathers a group of people who can communicate with God. He works with other clergy to teach the organization to bring them together and fight for a common goal. Just like the meeting of 40 bishops led by Camara on November 16, 1965, has triggered grand influence, which will not be achieve by other average organization.

The influence of the Church is not limited to the Church itself, but to all human beings. Carama has caused great influence on criticizing military dictatorship and has set up other organizations to unite people. These actions can benefit all human beings.

What can you do to help continue the hero’s work in creating just and loving relationships?

First, we should spread his work. He wrote a book, Spiral of Violence, yet it is rarely available on the market. His work is a reflection of his thoughts and spirit. I hope that the younger generation can spread his work in more places, such as the Internet, and let his spirit continue.

Second, we should also treat people in the way they treat people. For example, respect the poor and fight for the rights of the minority.

Finally, the organizations he has established for justice, if still exist, should be well managed by our younger generation, so that they can develop better.

贴在背面的reference

1. Regan, David. C.S.Sp (2002), Why Are They Poor?: Helder Camara in Pastoral Perspective, Theologie und Praxis, 13, Münster: Lit, ISBN 3-8258-6151-1

2. Helder, the Gift: A Life that Marked the Course of the Church in Brazil, Page 53, Editora Vozes, 2000

3. Bellos, Alex. "Helder Camara" (obit), The Guardian, August 31, 1999