Religious Tourism Keeps Pushing Faith, Devotion Away in Brazil

The so-called religious tourism has long since made traditional manifestations of faith and devotion during the Holy Week fall by the wayside in Brazil, theologian Rogeiro Bartolini opines.

A researcher and professor at the University of Claritin Schools –a private and Catholic college- Mr. Bartolini believes the fervor of the Holy Week and Easter celebrations is now gone.

“The sad thing is that the so-called religious tourism has killed the tradition of putting faith and devotion into this time of year, especially in a familiar way. This must be a time of reflection and Christian spirituality,” he said.

With a population of 182 million inhabitants -70 percent is Catholic- Brazil has more Christian worshippers than any other Latin American country. “However, in practice, our numbers are poor when stacked up against other nations in the region,” Mr. Bartolini concluded.