Father Júlio Lancellotti speaks after broadcast ban

The Archbishop of São Paulo, Dom Odilo Scherer, ordered the suspension of the online transmission of the masses of Father Júlio Lancellotti, of the São Miguel Arcanjo parish, in the Mooca neighborhood, in the capital of São Paulo, where he has worked for about 40 years. He was also ordered to suspend his use of social media. In a statement, the cleric said he had not been transferred to another parish and that the suspension of his networks constituted a “temporary withdrawal.”

Lancellotti also specifies that masses in the parish continue on Sunday at , even without Internet transmission.

“I reaffirm my belonging and my obedience to the Archdiocese of São Paulo,” declares Father Júlio Lancellotti.

The masses celebrated by Father Júlio were followed by faithful from different regions of Brazil and abroad through digital transmissions. According to the priest himself, the broadcasts were seen by up to 15,000 people.

Lancellotti was also active on social media, where he broadcast pastoral actions and public positions, particularly on homelessness and the fight against hunger.

Complaints

The Archdiocese of São Paulo (SP) was the target of complaints after Father Júlio Lancellotti was banned from broadcasting masses live on social media.

In comments on the archdiocese’s Instagram posts, several faithful questioned the measure and called the decision “persecution” and an attempt to “silence” religious people.

“Censorship and persecution of the Church in the 21st century? Order of silence for those who only do good? Where is the explanation, Mr. Cardinal?” wrote a believer. “Is a Church that wants the silence of its messengers in fact the Church of Christ? Will all SP priests no longer broadcast masses live or will only those of a particular priest no longer be broadcast?” argued another.

To date, the Archdiocese of São Paulo has not released a public note detailing the reasons for the decision or additional information about the future of the priest in the city’s ecclesiastical structure.

Social action

Father Júlio Lancellotti is known for his work with the homeless in the capital São Paulo, through the Pastoral do Povo da Rua, an initiative linked to the Catholic Church. Activities include food distribution, pastoral care and coordination of social projects.

Dom Odilo Scherer is expected to retire in April 2026, in accordance with the Catholic Church’s rules for bishops, at the age of 75. The transfer takes place in the last period of his management at the head of the Archdiocese of São Paulo.