By Fr. Rudy Ramos, CICM

Brazil

Death
“Oh, he died?”
What do you think? He is there lying covered with news paper. And we policemen, what do you think we are supposed to do here?”
“Well, you are right. He is dead. Can I take a look?”
“For what? You might get scared…”
“No! No! I’ll not get scared.
Can I take a look?”

Many Spectators
This sort of dialogue took place between Maria das Gracas Rodriguez, 62 years old, and the policeman Adilson Silva de Souza, 22 years old. In the front of the Church of Sao Francisco de Assis where I serve in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It does not matter that the crime happens in a public plaza or in favela (slum). It is certain that, in the case of each victim of violence in the Baixada Fluminense, outskirt city of the Cidade Maravilhosa, Rio de Janiero, immediately many spectators arrive on the scene.

With Special Interest
But what motivates these people to act like this? What impels them to spend hours looking at an unknown victim of violence? What attracts their attention so they spend one or two hours climbing the hill just to see policeman confronted with five dead bodies? Maybe it is the same impulse that forced people, in spite of the bad odor due to the decomposition of the dead bodies, to surround a Combi wherein two unidentified men were found dead.

Someone Lights a Candle
For the Policia Civil and Militar the answer could be “lack of something to do.” It is certain, however, that where there is a dead man, someone will appear within a minute to light a candle, and another with an old newspaper to cover the dead body. And just as soon, many will come to uncover the body to have a look. Regardless of the sex or age they start to a monosyllabic dialogue such as: “Que horror!” (“How terrible”), Como estao matando!” (“How they are killing!”), “Tao novo!” (“Too young!”).
Maria das Gracas, although she has already seen a lot of dead bodies, does not know to explain why she likes to look at a victim of violence. “I look at it because it is there on the ground to look at”, she said. Reminded that she had asked the policeman to uncover the dead man, she smiled and responded, “Well, I don’t know. I like it is not a sin.” Yes, there is really no human or divine or divine law which prohibits the curiosity of people. But it is  normal to bring a child of six to look a dead body riddled by bullets.
This way he learns not to be in the company of bad people. I always bring him and tell him: You see, bad people do not live long,” I confess a lady holding firm the small fragile hand of Carlos de Almeida, six years old.

World Record
The problem of violence in Rio de Janeiro to increase: indiscriminate killing, police violence, extermination of groups hold-ups. The victims are always poor and helpless people. The city of Nova Iguaçu is considered the most violent place in the world according to the statistics of the United Nations.

Fear takes over
We must change the situation. But how? When fear takes over the whole situation, the people do not have the courage to protest. The absence of government authority and the corrupt military apparatus help to perpetuate more violence.

What to Do?
It is simply possible to solve to counter violence individually. Nor it is not possible to solve it in isolated groups. The whole of the society as a whole that we must look for the solution.

St. Francis
As a missionary in this violent city, I always pray which Sao Francisco de Assis prayed, “Lord make us instrument of your peace.”

Fr. Rudy Ramos, CICM, a Filipino missionary from Maasin, Iloilo