MEDIA HISTORY
│ LANGUAGES
│ PRO-LIFE
│ THE FAMILY
His involvement in the Pro-Life and Pro-Family Cause started in Brazil,
his country of birth, through the initiatives promoted by the great Catholic
leader Prof. Plinio de Oliveira. Later on, in Canada and the United
States, he volunteered his time and dedication to local movements defending
Life and Family in the late 70's. Through the turn of the century
until today, Raymond's chief efforts have been with Human Life International
as Director for Portuguese Speaking Countries. He continues to travel
and address audiences in Mozambique, East Timor, Brazil and Portugal, to
name a few.
In South Africa - 1981-83
In South Africa he took more concrete steps in the defence of the unborn.
With Dr
Claude Newbury, a hero of the Pro-Life work, he regularly visited Catholic
and non-Catholic churches on behalf of Human
Life International. He was also an active member of the
Knights of da Gama.
In New Zealand
The North Island. In Auckland, he took up Mother
Teresa of Calcutta's motto – 'Adoption, not Abortion!' and went live on
radio in his broadcast 'Crossroads Challenge'.
Later in Wellington, he and his wife Theresa started the 'New Zealand
Family Action' against the propagation of pornography - it fuels an
instinct that ultimately finds a false solution in abortion for unwanted pregnancies.
He made verbal and written representations to
select parliamentary committees in defense of the family on various bills
being debated in Parliament. He was also a member of the national board of
the Coalition of Concerned Citizens.
The South Island. As president of the most active branch
of the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child (Christchurch), he led
a committee that organized demonstrations and prayer vigils in front of the
local abortion clinic, wrote letters to politicians and published ads in
newspapers.
For nearly three years he gave public talks at the local Bishop's Cathedral
House, and at the Conference room of the Catholic Education Office.
In Christchurch he ran a weekly broadcast - 'Mission: Possible!'
- and for over two years, he organized programs to promote the Encyclical
Letter 'Evangelium Vitae' and to fight the abortion and euthanasia bills. He
often broadcast his bishop's statements on a variety of issues,
especially the defense of human life.
He also published a monthly bulletin, 'Timely',
centering on
Pro-life activities both from his radio broadcast and from his
Bishop.
He initiated a pro-life prayer movement, the Legion of St Michael, aimed to spread the prayer to St Michael the Archangel
and invoke Angelic help against the satanic influences in the Culture of Death.
He was also an active member of the Knights of the Southern Cross (New
Zealand) in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
IN AUSTRALIA
December 1996, he and his family moved to Perth. The
Archbishop invited him to produce a weekly, radio broadcast for the
Archdiocese. 'Sounds Catholic' was born. For eighteen months, he
reported regularly on unashamedly pro-family activities and attacked the anti-abortion
vision.
In 1998, he and his wife Theresa organized a strong Pro-life march around
Victoria Square. About 700 people participated. It ended with a Holy Hour
celebrated by Archbishop Hickey himself, whose homily was precisely on the
WA new abortion laws - laws which His Grace encouraged the faithful to
reject.
In 2001-2002, he and his wife were on air. Australia's first Catholic,
talk-back broadcast in WA, 'The Layman's Hour'. On Sunday evenings they regularly gave free airtime to
defenders of the Pro-Life Cause, such as
- Pregnancy Assistance
- Coalition for the Defense of Human Life (W.A.)
- Helpers of God's Precious
Infants, Family Council of Western Australia
- Crossroads Community
- Post
Abortion Grief Counseling Services
- National Viewers and Listeners
Association of Australia
- National Civic Council of Australia
- Knights of the Southern Cross.
He interviewed live pro-life fighters calling from the Australian
Eastern states, USA, Italy, Germany and France. He broadcasted statements regularly by Archbishop Hickey and interviewed His Grace live on air,
especially on stem-cell research.
The Australian Bishops chose the last Sunday in May as 'Day for Life', in
response to Pope John Paul II's Encyclical Letter Evangelium Vitae. Raymond
and Theresa organized the unique prayer vigil of 'Children praying for
Children' at St Mary's Cathedral, when born children prayed for the unborn.
It lasted as an annual event for almost seven years.
 In the United States of America
Since 2002, Raymond has worked primarily with Human Life International.
Recently he was nominated for the position of Director for
Portuguese Speaking Countries.
He has since travelled to Brazil, the Cape Verde Islands, East Timor, the
Phillipines, Tanzania, and host of other countries, striving to promote and
encourage pro-life awareness and action before pro-abortion legislation is
passed.
He has also created and organized the "Cast the Gauntlet"
Pro-Life Conferences in Scranton, PA. More information on these
seminars is available at
www.ProLifeKnights.com
In light of Catholic Action, Raymond directs the Sacred Heart
Legion, under the Sacred Heart Institute.
Visit
www.SacredHeartInstitute.us for more information.
|