I have been not working much since the distance doesn’t let me get more involved within ISC. I have tried to help in the management/financial site. I have also been involved in the project of establishing a branch of the International Spiritist Council (ISC) in Europe, which would facilitate the process of dissemination of the spiritist doctrine. 

O Consolador: How many countries have you travelled to, through the International Spiritist Council (ISC)? What has caught your attention?  

I have visited quite a few countries via the International Spiritist Council (ISC). I have given some lectures, been involved with conferences in Spanish speaking countries. The place that really stroked me was Guatemala, since there is a lack of resource there but their faith and good will are impressive. 

O Consolador: What grabs your attention in these countries? 

The lack of resources really strikes me, if we compare their conditions with what we see in Brazil. In Europe the spiritist movement is lead by Brazilians, with the exception of Portugal and Spain. The spiritist ideas are slowing progressing in Europe overall. In Latin America, the local movements are getting really strong; the perspectives are much more positive. 

O Consolador: How many books have been translated by the International Spiritist Council (ISC)? 

It’s a hard task to do, but there are great efforts being done in order to translate spiritists’ books into different languages. The focus is to translate Kardec’s books: there are 8 titles translated in to Russian, 13 to Spanish, 25 to French, 12 to English, 2 to German and 1 to Hungarian. 

O Consolador: Can you please mention one international experience that should be shared with the readers in terms of work done by the spiritists who are disseminating the Doctrine? 

When I was in Guatemala for 22 days, we did some conferences in different places such as Universities, schools and even where native aborigines from Guatemala live. These Indian settlements are quite far from the civilization. We hosted conferences where people had to WALK for more than 12 hours to arrive at the place where the conference was being hosted.

They would ask to talk a lot because they were quite tired from the walk, but wanted to learn as much as possible to make the most of the conference. Some of them were illiterate; some were able to read but couldn’t afford to buy books. We were able to host conferences for more than 700 people in Guatemala, in very remote places. 

O Consolador: How do you believe the local culture that exists in each country can impact the dissemination of the spiritist teachings?

The dissemination of the spiritist teachings could decrease due to prejudice. The spiritist ideas find more resistance within the more privilege population. The spiritist doctrine is more receptive within modest and simple people; just as Jesus’ teachings. Consequently, the spiritist doctrine needs to reach the people but we should not worry about how this will be interpreted. 

O Consolador: How did the native aborigines from Guatemala assimilated the spiritist teachings? 

The groups assimilate the religious aspect easier than the other aspects. In second place, I would highlight the philosophical aspect of Spiritism, which also caught their attention. Jesus’ message, with a spiritist focus, is the decisive moment for them. In Guatemala there exists the organisation Cadena Heliosóphica Guatemalteca which joins over 200 spiritists groups in the country. They are all studying and putting the Doctrine into practice throughout the country.  

O Consolador: Which country or region could be considered the one that assimilated the spiritist teachings in greater scale, outside Brazil? 

In many European countries there are Spiritist groups, but the strongest within the movement is Portugal. There are more than 200 spiritist centres in this country. In Latin American it is important to highlight Colombia where there is a very well-structured movement.  

O Consolador: Internet has been a great tool to enable more people to get to know Spiritism; is a powerful communication tool. Do you believe the language barrier have been an obstacle for the expansion of the doctrine in other languages? 

Yes, it is true. Internet has been a great tool which will expand more and more as more people are having access to it. The language barrier is also an existent obstacle. 

O Consolador: Can you please give us your final words? 

I would like to thank the opportunity to give this interview to this electronic magazine. I pray to Jesus for his spiritual protection and guidance; and for the spiritist message to reach as many hearts as possible.

Nota: Those who would like to talk to José Eurípedes Garcia, please contact him via e-mail:  euripedes@sernet.com.br