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August 8, 2016

God and the Olympic Games

Rio de Janeiro's Mayor Eduardo Paes, in untucked dress shirt; Brazilian Olympic Committee President Carlos Arthur Nuzman, in khaki pants; and leaders of different religions pray next to the Olympic Flag in front of "Christ the Redeemer" statue during a blessing ceremony in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 19, 2012

The XXXI Olympic Games, the 16-day athletic love-fest to a samba beat in Rio de Janeiro, are a secular endeavour featuring more fanfare than faith, more spectacle than spirit.

Published in Features
August 5, 2016

At Rio's Christ the Redeemer statue, cardinal blesses Olympic torch

Cardinal Orani Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro holds the Olympic flame Aug. 5 as Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes and former Brazilian volleyball player Isabel Barroso look on in front of the Christ the Redeemer statue.

RIO DE JANEIRO – High above the city, beneath the statue of Christ the Redeemer, Rio Cardinal Orani Tempesta blessed the Olympic torch, held by Brazil's former Olympic volleyball player, Maria Isabel Barroso Salgado.

Published in International
June 21, 2016

Tourists must blow whistle on trafficking during Olympics, religious say

Religious people in Rio de Janeiro are urging tourists to report instances of exploitation and trafficking when the visit they city during the Olympics.

VATICAN CITY – Religious priests, brothers and sisters in Brazil are urging everyone attending the Olympic Games to report instances of exploitation of vulnerable people and to turn in suspected traffickers.

Published in International
May 19, 2014

Brazil's religions promote peace with events during World Cup

Brazil's religions promote peace with events during World Cup

SAO PAULO - Less than a month from the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, leaders of several religions gathered at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro to kick off what they are calling the World Peace Cup.

Published in International
January 29, 2013

Catholic samba group turns parade into procession after nightclub fire

An exterior view of Boate Kiss nightclub is seen Jan. 27 after a fire in Santa Maria, Brazil. The blaze raced through the crowded building in southern Brazil early that morning, killing more than 230 people as the air filled with deadly smoke and panicke d party-goers stampeded toward the exits, police and witnesses said.

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - A Catholic samba group in Rio de Janeiro changed its parade plans after the nightclub fire that killed more than 230 people, most of them students from the local university in Santa Maria.

Published in International