Building a transnational spiritual community : the John of God movement in Australia

In this chapter, I analyse the transnationalization of the John of God movement. I argue that the intense flows of people, sacred objects, ideas, practices and ‘spirits’ between the Casa de Dom Inácio and Australia create a transnational spiritual community comprised of healers, the ill, those who seek ‘spiritual growth’, and tour guides. While scholars have used the concept of transnational community to analyse transnational migration, this chapter calls for the expansion of its scope to encompass other trasnational communities, such as those of transnational spiritual adherents.