Brazilian Catholic family defends home schooling amid legal battle

Diego and Patricia Vieira are appealing a court ruling that ordered them to enroll four of their seven children in traditional schools and pay a fine of nearly $13,000. The family from Blumenau, Brazil, has home-schooled their children for over a decade.

The parents told EWTN Noticias that they view their educational approach as a mission to pursue holiness, virtue, and wisdom. Their daily routine includes morning academic studies followed by afternoon activities such as music, athletics, culture, and chess.

The Vieira family believes the court decision is a form of persecution because they are public figures advocating for home-schooling regulations. Although there is no federal law in Brazil regulating home schooling, a trial court judge issued the order in late July.