The “guru” of the Heralds of the Gospel, João Clá Dias, is dead

The founder of the Heralds of the Gospel, João Clá Dias, died last night at the age of 85, in his castle of Lumen Prophetae (Light of the Prophet), near São Paulo. The ultraconservative Catholic group made the announcement in a press release.

His death comes two weeks after the show’s revelations Investigation concerning psychological, physical and sexual abuse that Canadians say they suffered within this religious organization based in Brazil.

João Clá Dias is said to have committed acts of a sexual nature on young girls recruited by the group and living in its castles near São Paulo, including kissing on the mouth, biting the neck and ears, as well as caressing buttocks and breasts on a 12 year old minor.

Several victims consider that João Clá Dias acted as the guru of a sect who recruits children and keeps them captive in Brazil. Experts consulted confirm that the functioning of the Heralds actually corresponds to a list of international criteria which define sects.

The testimonies collected, reporting abuses occurring between the 1980s and 2020, describe a veritable cult of the person erected around the supreme leader, who was both feared and revered by his followers.

The abuses allegedly occurred out of sight, behind the fortresses of the luxurious estates erected by the group. All these allegations are, however, denied by the Heralds of the Gospel, who recall that neither the leader nor any member of their religious community have been found guilty of any offense whatsoever to date.

As founder of the Heralds of the Gospel, he bequeathed a legacy of holiness and example of life to millions of Catholics linked to this institution on five continents.writes the religious organization in its press release.

The Heralds recall that their founder suffered a stroke 14 years ago and that, since then, he has suffered from after-effects.

In turmoil since 2017

In 2017, after a media leak of videos of exorcisms performed by João Clá Dias on young girls and the triggering of a Vatican investigation, the supreme leader of the Heralds resigned from his position as Superior General, while remaining the spiritual father of the group.

Since 2019, the religious movement has been under the supervision of the Holy See, which has detected serious shortcomings in the lives of the group’s members.

Subsequently, Brazilian authorities in turn investigated violations of children’s rights, cases which are still before the courts. A civil appeal from the São Paulo Public Defense office was rejected over questions of eligibility for state legal aid, without resolving the abuse allegations on the merits. This decision is currently under appeal.

In the obituary of João Clá Dias, the organization insists that the Heralds of the Gospel have been the target of false accusations from some enemies of the Church. By always reestablishing the truth, Bishop João has weathered all these waves of defamation without reproach: either by benevolently accepting the legal retractions of his slanderers, or by accumulating countless victories in these trials. It is therefore no coincidence that he always had a special devotion to Saint Ferdinand of Castile: it is said that this Spanish king never lost a single battle.

According to our sources, the priest Pedro Morazzani, who was João Clá Dias’s right-hand man until his death, and who can be seen alongside him in several exorcism videos, is being approached to succeed him at the head of the movement. .

Reaction from a former Canadian disciple

Quebecer Christian Petitclerc is one of those who denounce the toxic environment of the group fueling religious fanaticism among children. The one who left the Heralds of the Gospel at the dawn of the year 2000 still lives with trauma. Upon learning of the death of the religious leader, his reaction was mixed.

The death of João Clá Dias brings me a certain liberation. But, at the same time, it is justice that will never be donehe laments.

Christian hopes the founder’s death will be a sign of change for the Heralds, but he admits his hopes are slim.

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They must admit that they erred, that they abused the children. This movement, unlike many other religious congregations, has never recognized the victims. He has always preached that these are slanders, that we are frustrated ex-members. Again in the press release of his death, they repeat the same story.

I hope that the Vatican will continue and tighten the screw even more. It is completely anachronistic to recruit minors to become religiousexplains the man who became a knight, monk and warrior of the movement at the age of 15.

The Heroes praise João Clá Dias

In the press release announcing the death of João Clá Dias, the Heralds of the Gospel recall that he was a disciple and interpreter of the thought of Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira, the founder of the far-right movement Tradition, Family and Property .

After Plinio’s death in 1995, João Clá Dias took over as leader of the group and established his own branch, which he called the Heralds of the Gospel. In 2001, this private association of the faithful received the approval of Pope John Paul II.

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The Heralds highlight that he did his military service in 1958 and received the highest medal of the Brazilian army. This period of his life considerably influenced the martial characteristic that he would later imprint on the Heralds of the Gospel.

His followers emphasize that João Clá Dias is the author of 27 works, which he founded more than 50 choirs and orchestras et encouraged the construction of almost 30 oratories and churches. He led the institutions that have millions of members and adherents, among priests, associated brothers and sisters, cooperators or solidarity participants.

They assure that they will continue its work and its heritage under the protection of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, to accomplish the mission of being a link between the Holy Church and civil society.