A Catholic Priest Is Attending Our Church... What Should We Do?

It was Sunday evening at the Vila Baptist Church. Vicki and I were seated toward the back of the nearly full auditorium. Each Sunday gathering is different and often brings delightful surprises. We were eager to see what was “in store” for us tonight.

One of our ladies has a brother, a Catholic priest, who teaches and celebrates mass at a diocese upstate. Back in August, he contracted viral encephalitis, which once discovered, left him hospitalized for a gruesome 60 days. For weeks, he teetered on the edge of life and death in the ICU. Our church, as well as a designated prayer group, kept up-to-date, and prayed for God to spare his life.

Three weeks ago, Padre Lorenço (not his real name) accompanied his sister to our Sunday evening church service. She asked to give public testimony of seeing God heal her brother and to thank the church for praying and encouraging her and her family during the past two intense months of suffering. She shared her tears and laughter as she gave details of her brother’s struggles. As she went back to her seat in the auditorium, she said, “My brother would also like to speak to the church.”

Vicki and I were still taking in what our sister and good friend had shared as her brother went up front. My heart began to race and I thought, “Oh no, should I do or say something? Should Pastor Valdir (with whom we work) step in?” My cozy Baptist church has a Catholic priest upfront who wants to say something to our congregation!

Some of you know I’m a missionary’s kid. My parents came to Brazil in the late 1940’s. In the 50’s, as a young boy in this part of Brazil, I heard stories of many Catholic priests organizing protests against evangelical Christians. My dad was confronted over and over by religious mobs. Eggs, tomatoes, and rocks were thrown at him, the new believers, and missionary coworkers. I remember my dad talking about outdoor services where military police were present to control the situations. In the interior town of Jardim, the local priest organized a mob that showed up at an evangelistic meeting in the town square. They threw rocks and manure, smashed the sound system, flipped my dad’s jeep, and slashed the canvas jeep top with knives.

Yet, on this night three weeks ago, with a voice still feeble from his illness, Padre Lorenço said, “I have come to your church tonight for two reasons. The first is to thank you personally for praying for me during the past several months. I was aware of your interest in me and my recovery. Secondly, I want each one of you to see with your own eyes the answer to your prayers.” Then, he sat down.

 Several times since then, Pastor Valdir and I have taken Padre Lorenço and his brother-in-law out to eat and talk. While on sick leave, he continues to attend our Sunday services.   Last week, Padre Lorenço and I spent the day at our Retreat Center construction site. We talked a lot. He “confessed” to me so much of his personal struggles and guilt. Repeatedly, Romans 8 and James 2 came into our conversation.

 

Up until now, we had prayed earnestly for the Padre’s physical recovery. Now our church is praying intensely for his heart to see and understand that salvation is in Christ alone.

So... from way back in the 50’s until now, the Gospel preached by my Dad and many other pioneer missionaries is the same message that has not changed. We are grateful that many people in Brazil have believed and embraced the Gospel message! Oh that we would never question the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!