Dom Hélder Câmara

(http://www.xaviermissionaries.org/M_Life/NL_Archives/NL_Photos/NL_Camara2.jpg)

"Dom Hélder Câmara was born on February 7, 1909 in Fortaleza and died on August 27, 1999 in Recife. He lived in Brazil. He retired as archbishop in 1985, and lived to see many of his reforms rolled back by his conservative successors."

He was famous for stating, "When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food they call me a Communist." Dom Hélder Câmara was made Archbishop of Olindam and Recife in 1964.

(http://www.tinet.org/~fqi_ct04/domhelder1.jpg)

Dom Hélder Câmara, helped the poor people a lot and was there for them. He gave them the feeling that they are important, and not forgotten by the other well-living people. He thought that every person has his own goodness and needs respect. He wanted to show and call upon the youth of the world to take steps for breaking the spiral to which their elders are often addicted. He wrote a book called "Spiral of violence." It was written during the Vietnam war. He was nominated for an award and for the Nobel peace prize. He was named after Pope John XXIII.

He had strong beliefs and stood for what he thought was right. If other people would say something to him against his opinion or beliefs, he would say --thank you for noticing me-- you could not influence him and his thoughts. He gave the world a lot of peace and hope. Especially the poor. He saw everyone equal, not just the catholic, or the rich, or the workers as better people than the others. He had a big heart full of love, which is what he wanted to share with other people.

(http://www.liberationtheology.org/images/DomHelderCamara2.jpg)

There was an article about Dom Hélder Câmara in a magazine. He was teaching another young boy about his work and showed him what he can do for the world and to make it also a better world. He went to a poor country and took him with him. He knew everybody by his own name and spoke with them like a good, old friend. He played and prayed together like a big community and everybody took care of everyone. The human dignity was there and everybody respected each other. He brought a lot of light in their lives.

He is a hero for me because he did so much good for everybody and the whole world. He was like a little candle which made the world a lighter and better place for everybody. He flamed the whole world in a big wonderful fire. He made people smile and laugh. He played with them and gave them fun - and everything that had once been taken away, he gave it back to them. Respect their human dignity, live their lives, hope and love.