Investigation Launched Into Priest Praised by Pope Francis for His Work with the Homeless in São Paulo

Accident – Death – Obituary News : SÃO PAULO – A city council member in São Paulo has announced plans to subpoena a well-known priest and human rights advocate whose work has been praised by Pope Francis before a panel investigating homelessness in the Brazilian city, publicly referring to the priest as a “pimp of misery.”

Father Julio Lancellotti is the Vicar for the Homeless in the Archdiocese of São Paulo and has been working tirelessly for decades in a region known as “Crackland,” an area in the city’s central district where hundreds of addicts spend day and night smoking crack. In October 2020, Pope Francis personally commended the 75-year-old cleric in a phone conversation, applauding his dedication to serving the poor. However, Lancellotti is not without controversy in Brazil, with some blaming him for encouraging lawlessness among the homeless population.

On January 3, right-wing city council member Rubinho Nunes announced to the Brazilian press that he had secured enough votes to launch an immediate investigation into homelessness in the city, including Lancellotti’s role. Nunes accused NGOs and activists operating in Crackland of exploiting the addicts’ situation, singling out Lancellotti as his main target. He claimed that Lancellotti and the identified NGOs only distribute food and hygiene kits to the homeless, failing to effectively combat their addiction. Nunes argued that they perpetuate the problem rather than solving it and politically profit from the chaos in Crackland.

Nunes, a lawyer and founder of the right-wing organization Movimento Brasil Livre (MBL), gained notoriety for his involvement in mass protests against former President Dilma Rousseff, which ultimately led to her impeachment in 2016. In 2020, members of MBL allegedly attempted to frame Lancellotti. Former members of the group came forward, claiming that a state legislator at the time, Arthur do Val, led an operation to falsely charge Lancellotti with sexual exploitation. The police decided not to launch an inquiry into Lancellotti after it was revealed that the social media clip had been manipulated.

In response to the new investigation, Lancellotti released a statement on social media on January 3, clarifying that he is not a member of any NGO and that his work is carried out as part of his role in the Church. He expressed his surprise and stated that he has received support from auxiliary bishops, groups of lawyers, and a social media campaign promoting solidarity with him. Many artists, political leaders, and even Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva praised Lancellotti’s work, emphasizing its importance in aiding the most vulnerable.

The Archdiocese of São Paulo also issued a statement expressing its perplexity regarding the inquiry committee. They questioned why someone would want to promote an investigation against a priest who works with the poor, particularly at the beginning of an electoral year when new city mayors will be elected in Brazil.

Father Marcos Augusto Mendes, who leads the Bishops’ Conference’s Homeless Pastoral Ministry, condemned the far-right’s disdain for social inclusion efforts and highlighted the urgent need to denounce the system’s racism, misogyny, and homophobia. Similarly, Father Rodrigo Schüler de Souza, a member of the group “Priests against Fascism,” argued that Lancellotti is being politically targeted due to the causes he stands for. He believes that the priest’s pastoral work exposes the prejudice against the poor that exists among right-wing politicians and fundamentalist religious leaders.

Father José Francisco dos Santos, who heads the Franciscan Social Action organization (SEFRAS), which distributes food for the homeless in São Paulo and other cities, speculated about the far-right’s interests in occupying Crackland. He mentioned that Governor Tarcísio de Freitas previously attempted to move the palace to the region, suggesting that it may be related to urban lands and potential real estate development opportunities.

Despite the controversy surrounding Father Julio Lancellotti, his dedication to serving the homeless and combating their plight remains unwavering. As he himself stated, “If you walk with those who are despised and humiliated, you’ll be equally despised and humiliated. That’s the natural consequence of our work.”.