The Secret Story of a Cult Apologist

Massimo Introvigne, CESNUR and the Brazilian right-wing organization, "Tradition, Family and Property" (T.F.P.)

July 14, 1998

Massimo Introvigne CESNUR's Founder and Director on television at Maurizio Costanzo Show "Canale 5", Italy, May 15, 1998

The following document concerns the Italian based organization, CESNUR, supposedly an objective resource on cults established by the sociologist Massimo Introvigne. Actually, Introvigne does not have a degree in sociology, but is a patent lawyer; nor is CESNUR an objective resource: the organization is intimately linked to another organisation called "Alleanza Cattolica". The ideology of the latter is entirely based on the teachings of Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira, a Brazilian extremist and self-styled "prophet", founder of a "crusade" against agrarian reform and "Communism" which openly calls for the implementation of a world-wide "Christian" regime based on Medieval hierarchy and repression. This "crusade" is called Tradition, Family and Property (TFP).

In the meantime, while waiting for the Kingdom to come, this organization is happy to work together with the US "New Right" around the world and around the clock.

Often accused of being a cult, T.F.P. in 1985 started promoting the notions that CESNUR currently promotes - that there is a worldwide "anti-cult conspiracy", manipulated by "psychiatrists and Communists". In the same year, Massimo Introvigne - who had hitherto been involved in entirely different questions - began to deal with "cults".

This text makes certain references to Freemasonry, Opus Dei, Scientology and other organizations. This does not imply any judgement on the nature of such organizations. Nor do I intend to express any opinion on conservative or traditionalist Catholicism. I know several conservative Catholics, with whom I disagree but whom I respect.

Having been personally attacked on Internet by Introvigne, I feel I have the duty to reply.

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