Brazil - Land of the Holy Cross but for How Long?

If history had developed differently the country we know as Brazil would be called Holy Cross Land joining another Latin American state whose name has a religious origin, El Salvador*.

As things turned out, it became Brazil and was named after a tree – “pau Brasil” - which produced a dye greatly in demand in Europe at that time.

As I write these words the original cross that was present at the first mass ever held in Brazil – on April 26, 1500 – is being toured around parishes throughout the country and appearing in masses. It was featured recently at a service held in the main cathedral - Catedral da Sé - in São Paulo where I live.

Three years ago when Brazil celebrated 200 years of independence from Portugal I visited the place where the first mass was held. This was on the outskirts of the city of Porto Seguro in the Northeastern state of Bahia. I was unimpressed by the location which had not been well maintained and was dirty and to be frank a disgrace to Brazil and the Church. It was also symbolic of the Church´s ongoing decline here.

The truth is that the Catholic Church in Brazil needs more than a symbolic boost at this time. Brazil is still the world´s largest Catholic country with about 110 million members. This is a lot but for the first time Catholics are now in a minority of slightly less than 50% of the population as Evangelical Protestant churches gain new followers at a rapid rate. The percentage of Catholics is expected to fall to 38.6% and the Evangelicals rise to almost 40% by 2032. That´s only seven years away!

How the Catholic Church halts this decline is a challenge and I regret to say that from where I stand I see little sign that the present leadership in the country or the Vatican is treating the matter with the urgency it deserves.

* Terra de Santa Cruz in Portuguese. El Salvador means The Savior in Spanish.

© John Brander Fitzpatrick 2025