All images © Kevin Moloney


A former aerobics instructor, Padre Marcelo Rossi is the Catholic Church's secret weapon in the battle for souls with Pentecostal denominations in Brazil. Rossi delivers a sermon defending the church's reverence for the Virgin Mary against attacks from Pentecostal ministers.



Worshippers are encouraged to sing, shout and speak in tongues much like their Pentecostal counterparts, yet Catholic traditions, such as communion are preserved.



Rossi's popularity has made him an industry. Children's T-shirts bearing his photo hang next to shirts boasting the Teletubbies at a stand in the São Paulo district where his masses are held. Compact disks, videos, rosaries and other mementos line the sidewalk booths.



Near Rossi's Church of the Byzantine Rosary in São Paulo, vendors sell rosaries, statues and other mementos allegedly blessed by the priestly icon.



Having taken up positions hours before the day's service, thousands of worshippers revel in a joyful mass offered by Padre Marcelo. Rossi is the star of the Catholic charismatic movement, which like its Pentecostal counterparts places high value on the passion of faith.



Up to 10,000 worshippers overflow the Church of the Byzantine Rosary — a converted bottling plant — during one of Rossi's masses. During each service Padre Marcelo steps off the 12-foot altar to parade through the aisles with a giant monstrance holding a wafer of bread believed to be spiritually transformed into the body of Christ. Rossi's youthful energy attracts both young and old to his services. His daily radio broadcasts reach millions more throughout the world's largest Catholic country.


All images © Kevin Moloney

Maria José