ARCHBISHOP HUME of
Westminster expressed sorrow at violation of human rights in Brazil as 150 priests and nuns took part in a 24hour vigil protesting against the Brazilian President's State visit to Britain.
The Archbishop this week wrote to President Ernesto Geisel to express "sorrow and disquiet at the violation of fundamental human rights and civil liberty" which he believes still prevail in Brazil.
Emphasising that he wrote "in a spirit of friendship and goodwill" he said he believed dialogue in that spirit should take place between politicians and Church leaders.
The 250 bishops of Brazil's Catholic Bishops' Conference have several times denounced political repression and social injustice in Brazil.
No report of Archbishop Fielder Camara of Recife is ever permitted on the media, and the Archbishop, visiting this country last October, told of the continuing repression and brutality of government forces.
The priests and nuns who kept up the vigil outside the Brazilian Embassy, joined by a number of Anglican and Methodist clergymen, represent many missionary orders. Some came from as far away as Rugby, Coventry and Leeds.
Organised by Sister Pamela
Hussey of the Holy Child Jesus and the Catholic institute for International Relations, the vigil, with prayers and scripture readings, was to demonstrate Christian concern for the continuing torture of prisoners in Brazil and harassment of the Churches.
Archbishop Hume has this week followed Cardinal Heenan in becoming president of CIIR, which has published a background pamphlet outlining the injustices prevalent in Brazil today.