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The Minors Case

The minors case refers to accusations that the Heralds of the Gospel (Arautos do Evangelho) kept children and adolescents against the will of their families, in isolation and under rigid discipline. Documented facts show that 2,583 parents signed a petition defending the Heralds, that the parents' association (AMPARE) fought in court for the right to keep their children in the institution, and that all civil proceedings regarding minors were dismissed or resolved favorably for the Heralds.

The Minors Case - Key Numbers
Parents in petition2,583
Civil proceedingsAll dismissed or favorable
SP Public DefenderR$25M -- unanimously dismissed
Federal inspectionNo irregularities
ALESPNo irregularities
Board of EducationBNCC compliant
Contents
  1. The accusation
  2. The 2,583 parents' petition
  3. AMPARE
  4. TJ-SP decision
  5. Public Defender's action
  6. Rio de Janeiro civil action
  7. Nova Friburgo
  8. Official inspections
  9. Archbishop Brandes' statement

The accusation

Accusation presented in the documentary

The documentary "Slaves of Faith" suggests that children and adolescents were kept against their families' will in houses of the Heralds of the Gospel, subjected to isolation from the outside world and excessively rigid discipline amounting to mistreatment.

The 2,583 parents' petition

Documented facts

In response to the accusations, 2,583 parents of students and young members of the Heralds signed a formal petition addressed to the Vatican, in which they:

  • Defended the institution and its educational methods
  • Categorically denied any type of complaint
  • Expressed gratitude for the formation offered to their children

The petition was accompanied by a legal opinion from Dr. Ives Gandra da Silva Martins, a nationally and internationally renowned jurist.

2,583
Parents signed petition to the Vatican defending the Heralds of the Gospel

AMPARE

Documented facts

AMPARE (Association of Mothers, Fathers, and Guardians of Students of the Heralds of the Gospel) was formally constituted by the parents themselves to legally defend the right to keep their children in the institution. The existence of an organized and combative parents' association in defense of the institution directly contradicts the narrative of children kept against their families' will.

TJ-SP decision

Documented facts

The Sao Paulo Court of Justice, in a decision issued on October 15, 2021 (Caieiras District), determined that the relationship between the parents/students and the Heralds is of a "private and contractual" nature, and that the Vatican has no jurisdiction to intervene in this relationship.

This decision is particularly significant, as it judicially recognizes that parents freely and consciously chose to entrust their children to the Heralds' formation.

Public Defender's action

Documented facts

The Public Defender's Office of Sao Paulo filed a public civil action against the Heralds, seeking R$25 million in damages (Case 1015538-29.2022), based on the Decree of 06/22/2021. The result:

  • The action was unanimously dismissed by the Sao Paulo Court of Justice
  • The Defensoria was found to have lack of standing (ilegitimidade ativa)
  • The decision recognized the absence of grounds for the allegations

Rio de Janeiro civil action

Documented facts

Case 0802193-04.2021 (RJ) -- Civil action to prevent housing of minors. Result:

  • Victory for the Heralds on appeal
  • The Public Prosecutor appealed to the STJ (Superior Court of Justice), which denied the appeal
  • Final decision favorable to the Heralds of the Gospel

Nova Friburgo

Documented facts

The case related to Nova Friburgo was definitively resolved in favor of the Heralds in June 2025, closing the last pending judicial matter related to the minors issue.

Official inspections

Several public authorities conducted independent inspections of the Heralds' facilities. None found irregularities:

AuthoritySubjectResult
Ministry of Human RightsFederal on-site inspectionNo irregularities
Board of Education (116-2019)Curriculum verificationBNCC compliant
ALESP (701-2019)Legislative investigationNo irregularities

Archbishop Brandes' statement

"Ninguem melhor que os pais dos estudantes para defender verdade e justica."
[No one better than the students' parents to defend truth and justice.]
-- Dom Orlando Brandes, Archbishop of Aparecida

See also

References

  1. Petition of 2,583 parents to the Vatican, with opinion by Dr. Ives Gandra da Silva Martins
  2. TJ-SP, Caieiras District, 10/15/2021
  3. Case 1015538-29.2022 -- SP Public Defender, unanimously dismissed
  4. Case 0802193-04.2021 -- RJ, victory on appeal, STJ denied appeal
  5. MHR Report -- Federal inspection, no irregularities
  6. Board of Education 116-2019 -- BNCC compliant
  7. ALESP 701-2019 -- No irregularities
  8. Book, Annex 46 -- Dr. Hugo Cysneiros Report
Categories: Accusations Minors Lawsuits AMPARE Education