Violence against Unification Church Centers in Brazil

1981 is remembered in the Brazilian Church as the year of the “great persecution.” Violence against the church included the stoning or sacking of fourteen centers and burning of six more, five of which were completely destroyed.

The riots were triggered by a series of media attacks against the church over four successive Sundays on the Globo Television Network’s “Fantastico,” a show with one of the largest audiences in Brazil.

Prior to the outbreak the Brazilian Church had experienced remarkable growth with a network of sixty- four centers throughout the country.

During and following the attacks, hundreds of home church families sheltered members and became more committed to the Church.

The destruction stimulated the Brazilian Church to later purchase an impressive headquarters church in Sao Paulo from which to coordinate its work.