Father Júlio Lancellotti suggested that there were political elements in his withdrawal, on the orders of Archbishop Dom Odilo Scherer, from digital channels.
Questioned this Sunday (21) by Leaf on this subject, at the end of the first mass celebrated after obtaining the veto, the priest began by declaring that it was “difficult to say” whether this factor had played a role. He is recognized for his commitment to social causes, particularly those related to the homeless population, and his involvement with progressive circles.
“I think there are problems in the Church that are disciplinary, that fall under the authority of the archbishop, and it is not up to me to challenge them,” he said after presiding over mass in the chapel of São Judas University, in Mooca, east of São Paulo.
However, he later said that the decision by the Archdiocese of São Paulo may have come from discomfort with his virtual performance. “Maybe I make a lot of posts, and the posts question, they’re provocative, they denounce.”
Until now, the reason why Dom Odilo chose to block the priest’s virtual activities has not been made public.
What we know: Last Sunday, Lancellotti announced that the weekly celebrations held in the chapel would no longer be broadcast live on the Internet.
He also clarified that he should not continue to update his profiles on the networks. His last post on Instagram, a theological discussion, was on December 10.
At the time, Lancellotti published a note speaking of a “temporary period of retirement”, and Dom Odilo told the journalist that the veto was “a matter between a bishop and his priest”. The archdiocese ordered a financial audit of the parish of São Miguel Arcanjo, led by Lancelloti for 40 years.
Regarding what prompted this particular investigation, he said only that “a general audit of everything is underway.” He did not answer about the transfers made by the parish, but stressed that it does not receive money from the state.
He described the days following the ban on broadcasting masses on the Internet and feeding his social networks as “difficult and full of challenges”. The chapel’s profile became an alternative channel to spread its messages.
His future, according to Lancellotti, is in the hands of his superiors. “The next steps come from the hierarchy, right? They will decide what they are going to do. For now, I am still here to celebrate and do the same work.”
During the mass, the priest spoke of his motto, “strength and courage”, with an addendum: “I always say (this) so that I too am convinced. It is often difficult, but we follow a path which has no return”.
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