The Church Inc.

The Catholic Church, since its founding over two thousand years ago, has been a central force in shaping Western history. However, over time, this religious institution, whose ideals of love, compassion and salvation are preached in mass, has become an empire. An empire that, paradoxically enough, mixes faith with business, spirituality with power. Throughout its history, it has been responsible for great acts of charity and also for countless episodes of exploitation and manipulation.

What we find today is not just a church dedicated to saving souls. We find a global corporation with vast economic, political and cultural reach, with a complex network of influences that cut across borders and systems of government. From Rome to São Paulo, from Madrid to Kigali, the Catholic Church transcends the confines of a cult and enters the marketplace of ideas, business and international relations.

Although the Church often presents itself as a spiritual refuge, it is also a player in a power game that has spanned centuries. It is not uncommon to hear about its political maneuvers, its immeasurable wealth, and its immense influence over government decisions. An influence that sometimes goes beyond the walls of cathedrals and infiltrates the corridors of global economic and political power.

In this book, we will explore this dichotomy: the Church as a temple of faith and the Church as a giant corporation. We will not only question its practices, but we will also seek to understand the financial and political interests that have shaped its path. By taking a closer look behind the scenes of the Church, we will not only find prayers and hymns, but also business, investments, and, often, manipulation.
With courage and honesty, our intention is to shed light on the darkest aspects of this great institution. It is not about attacking the faith of millions of people around the world, but about understanding how this faith has, at times, been used and even distorted for financial and power interests. In doing so, we seek, above all, a healthy and constructive questioning of the place of religion in the modern world.