Centro Dom Bosco

Despite identifying as Catholic, Centro Dom Bosco is not subject to the ecclesiastical hierarchy[2] and has openly opposed it on many occasions, being a part of a phenomenon which some researchers label as "endogenous anticlericalism".

[7] Given its influence on virtual platforms and its broad reach among both clerical and lay circles, Centro Dom Bosco is recognized as one of the leading centers of Brazilian Catholic conservatism.

[8] Established with the self-declared aim of "forming a new generation of Catholics capable of renewing the Church and the Land of the Holy Cross",[6] under the motto "pray, study, and defend the faith,"[9] Centro Dom Bosco has become known for offering classes and courses on its digital platforms.

[2] In addition to its educational content, Centro Dom Bosco has also gained recognition for posting critic videos on its digital platforms, expressing their dissatisfaction with actions by clergy perceived as heretical, sacrilegious, or otherwise contrary to the Catholic faith.

[21] Some researchers argue that Olavo de Carvalho's thought has deeply influenced Centro Dom Bosco's modus operandi, including Carlos Nougué, who was once involved with the organization in its early years.

These meetings soon became a focal point for a significant number of influencers within the Catholic right, such as Ernesto Araújo,[26] Bertrand of Orléans-Braganza, and Cardinal Athanasius Schneider, a priest critical of Pope Francis's pontificate.

[27] Affiliated centers of the Christ the King League often mimic the combative tone of cultural warfare by which Centro Dom Bosco is known, using virtual activism or other methods against actions they perceive as contrary to Catholic faith or Christian values.

[28] Recently, members of Confraria Dom Vital, a group based in Recife and affiliated with the league, commissioned paid advertisements on buses and shared videos on social media criticizing the 2024 edition of the Fraternity Campaign promoted by Episcopal Conference of Brazil (CNBB).

[29] This initiative, viewed by many as a direct attack on Archbishop Paulo Jackson Nóbrega de Sousa of Olinda and Recife, was condemned by regional representatives of CNBB, which criticized the group as being guided by "shallow, aggressive, inconsistent, and ultraconservative" ideologies.

"[38] In 2019, the group returned to court, this time seeking the removal of Porta dos Fundos' Christmas special, which depicted Jesus Christ in a manner conflicting with Catholic imagery.

[41] The organization was eventually fined R$ 10,000.00 for bad faith litigation, as the judiciary found their claim to be blatantly contrary to the Brazilian Constitution, which prohibits censorship of cultural and artistic expressions.

[46] The rosary, recited loudly inside the church during the mass, caused uproar among some of the faithful present, and the police were called to quell the disturbance, resulting in the indictment of five individuals associated with the center for religious intolerance.

Shield of Centro Dom Bosco. Founded by a group of Catholic university students in 2016, Centro Dom Bosco quickly became an influential organization within Brazilian conservative circles
Founding conference held for Centro Dom Bosco
Devotional image of Christ the King venerated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria, Illinois. The Cristero cry " Que Viva Cristo Rey " is pointed out as Centro Dom Bosco slogan and "Christ the King" designates the league of Catholic lay centers led by the group. [ 4 ]
Centro Dom Bosco has systematically opposed the themes chosen for CNBB Fraternity Campaign, notably the 2021 and 2023 edition. In the picture, a photo taken from the Solemn Session of the Paraná State Legislative Assembly shows State Representative Ana Júlia Ribeiro in the foreground, with the official poster of the 2023 Fraternity Campaign in the background.