Mr. Franco is Doctor Honorius Causa in Humanity and also in Parapsychology by American and Canadian Universities. Through his extraordinary Mediumship, Mr. Franco has published almost 200 books and 70 of them have already been translated in 16 languages. Here you will be able to find the interview he gave us right there:

 – In the year 2010, we are commemorating the Centenary of Chico Xavier*. There are many spiritist projects being launched, such as soap operas, movies and cartoons that are discussing Spiritism. How do you see this for the spiritists? Do you believe these events will bring new joiners to the Spiritist Doctrine?

It is clear the mass dissemination of the Spiritist Doctrine has an extraordinary meaning; as long as it goes in accordance with the basic books of Allan Kardec's codification (The Spirits' Book, The Mediums' Book, The Gospel According to Spiritism, Heaven and Hell, and The Genesis According to Spiritism). This will allow others to get to know the doctrine’s logical base, supported by reasoning.

Chico Xavier was not just a symbol of what the true spiritist is, but also a role model to be followed by any individual who aspire to do good and to construct a better society. Every homage paid by us only represents a minimum if we compare to everything he did during his noble existence. With media’s support, a lot of people will become interested in Spiritism and look for more information at the spiritist centres.

- How do you see the level of criminality and violence which appears to increase everywhere? Do you believe this has to do with the transformation of the world from being a world of tests and atonements; to becoming a world of regeneration?

Yes, I believe so. This question has historical, sociological, religious behaviour and educational roots. During many centuries, the religious castration and social hypocrisy limited the behaviour of children and adults; of citizenships in general. The following punishments were imposed to as a way create the ‘ideal society’: threats of an eternal punishment, the need to follow false behaviours, severe judgements, inappropriate domestic demands, etc.

The 1960s and 1970s were marked by a sociological revolution in which young people began to revolt against the conservative norms of the time, as well as remove themselves from mainstream liberalism, in particular the high level of materialism which was so common during the era. The 1960s have become synonymous with all the new, exciting, radical, and subversive events and trends of the period, which continued to develop in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and beyond.

The counterculture movement dominated the second half of the 1960s, its most famous moments being the Summer of Love in San Francisco in 1967, and the Woodstock Festival in upstate New York in 1969. Psychedelic drugs, especially LSD, were widely used medicinally, spiritually and recreationally throughout the late 1960s, and were popularized by Timothy Leary with his slogan "Turn on, tune in, drop out". The concepts of family and marriage were being considered overcome by the society in general. Rampant recreational drug use and casual sex has become inextricably associated with the counterculture of the era.

Law and order were rejected within this period, leading a nation to become troubled with the effects of these behaviours. The young generation started to adopt oriental doctrines, which were in favour of meditation, trips to nowhere, psychological escape from duties…. Soon later, delusion and suffering took place. John Lennon in December 1971 released "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" which declared: "WAR IS OVER! if you want it". Although the song is a protest song about the Vietnam War, it was also a reflection of the present times.

The moral wounds, drugs, erotism, addiction to pleasure, depression, anxiety, loneliness and violence were left from this time. On the other hand, the traditional family gave space for a modern model where everything was allowed. Parents no longer needed to worry about their children who, feelings orphans ran away to their peer groups, to sexual promiscuity, other types of addictions….

Spiritism is the best antidote against selfishess and pride. It offers moral education; not just formal education. As Allan Kardec wrote commenting the question 685 from The Spirits' Book: ‘…education, not merely the education of the intellect, not even that of the moral nature as given by books, but that which consists in the formation, of characters and habits; for education is the totality of the habits acquired’.

When the human creature understands and acknowledges the immortality of the soul, gets to know the responsibility of his/her acts, understands that we construct our own destiny and are responsible for our behaviour, lives the law of cause and effect, works on our inner reformation, then we will be working towards peace and social justice.

Drugs are a social disease, which needs elucidation and preventive education instead of judgement and persecution. If there is a drug addict, there will still be a drug dealer. We need to work on forming the personality of each child at home, by setting up good examples… We need to work on a drugs misuse prevention programme.

Violence, according to UNESCO, is also a disease which has its origin in the spirit; it needs to be treated within the psyche. In psychoanalysis and other forms of depth psychology, the psyche refers to the forces in an individual that influence thought, behaviour and personality.

– Do you believe the Haiti earthquake is linked with the transformation of the planet?

Yes, I am sure. In order to be transformed into a new world, the planet has been changing continuously. The most recent tragedies that happened worldwide, such as the Chile Earthquake, are moral and spiritual ways for the people who were victims of these events to be purified.

– Spiritism started in France; based on the five books of the Spiritist Codification written by French educator Hypolite Léon Denizard Rivail under the pseudonym Allan Kardec. Therefore, there are more spiritists in Brazil than in Europe, according to IBGE (The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics). What is the reason for this?

From a historical perspective, France was affected by three horrendous wars after Spiritism was established in France: 1870 - Franco Prussian war, 1914/1918 – 1st Word War – and 1939/1945 – 2nd World War. This has damaged enormously the dissemination of Spiritism in Europe. The new generations preferred to follow existential philosophies such as Jean Paul Sartre and Mme. de Beauvoir, rather then follow religious offerings...

Looking at the spiritual aspect, we believe a high number of spiritists from the 19th century from French origin reincarnated in Brazil. They easily accepted Spiritism due to its concepts and the logic behind it.

Spiritism is now being reborn in France and all over Europe, thanks to the work of Brazilian spiritists who are living in these countries. There are also the visitors who come from Brazil to disseminate the doctrine and the great efforts of The International Spiritist Council (ISC).

– The environment issue has been bringing attention from all over the globe. Governments worldwide are now talking about drastic changes that are happening in our planet and its future consequences. What does Spiritism have to say about these issues?

We, human beings, need to preserve Nature. It is unfortunate that our mental behaviour is linked to selfishness, since we are poisoning the atmosphere of Earth with our attitudes. Spiritism fights for the respect of the environment; the great school for our spiritual evolution.

These drastic changes are to do with the disrespect we have for the live forces of the planet.

– What would you say to the ones who argue against the Doctrine? What about the ones who don’t even want to get to know it?

We should not aim to convince others that Spiritism is the right place for them, but we should aim to present a different perspective to these brothers.

It is important to present the doctrine as the science that investigates, the philosophy that enlightens and the moral religious ethic that consoles, leading the creatures to God.

We have the questions, but Spiritism has all the answers. If someone denies it and contests it without willing to get to know the Doctrine, we need to respect their attitude. Therefore, this is can be seen as a sign of arrogance and pride since no one can fight against something they ignore completely. We need to give this person time, which is the greatest transformer.