Church Directive Limits Priest's Online Presence
On Tuesday, a well-known Brazilian Catholic priest acknowledged receiving instructions from Sao Paulo's archbishop to discontinue broadcasting his religious services and to abstain from social media activities. This directive came after conservative critics labeled his efforts as politically biased.
Father Júlio Lancellotti, 76, who has gained national recognition for his decades of work with homeless individuals in Sao Paulo, expressed his compliance with Cardinal Odilo Scherer's order "in a spirit of obedience and resilience." With over 2.3 million Instagram followers, his online reach has been significant.
The archdiocese issued a statement clarifying that matters between the archbishop and priests are internal church affairs, handled directly between them.
Advocacy Groups Rally in Support
In response, more than 40 Brazilian organizations dedicated to homeless assistance submitted a letter to Cardinal Scherer on Tuesday, urging reconsideration of the suspension. The document, reviewed by The Associated Press, respects the Church's autonomy while highlighting the social consequences of limiting the priest's outreach.
These organizations plan to send representatives to next Sunday's service to demonstrate public backing for Father Lancellotti.
His broadcasts, typically held on Sunday mornings, recently included a reminder to congregants that online viewers would miss out if they did not attend in person.
Political Tensions Escalate
Father Lancellotti has faced increasing political opposition in Brazil since the COVID-19 pandemic, despite nearly 40 years of similar pastoral work in Sao Paulo's Mooca district. Sao Paulo's Deputy Mayor, Col. Ricardo Mello Araujo, has alleged that the priest enables drug users in the city center—an accusation Lancellotti firmly rejects.
City councilors aligned with former President Jair Bolsonaro have also sought investigations into his activities. The priest, a vocal supporter of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, maintains that his work constitutes "pastoral action" under the archdiocese and denies any misconduct, emphasizing he is not affiliated with any nonprofit organization.
