Archdiocese says it is perplexed by CPI that targets Father Júlio – 01/03/2024 – Panel

The Archdiocese of São Paulo states that it follows “with perplexity” the possible opening of a CPI (Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry) in the São Paulo City Council with Father Júlio Lancellotti as the target.

As the Panel showed, the CPI for NGOs was filed by councilor Rubinho Nunes (União Brasil) with the support of 24 colleagues and should be installed in February, upon the return of the São Paulo Legislature’s recess.

“As Episcopal Vicar for the Pastoral of the Street People, Father Júlio carries out the important work of coordinating, articulating and animating the various pastoral services aimed at serving, welcoming and caring for homeless people in the city”, states a note from the communication consultancy for the Catholic Church body.

“We reiterate the importance that, in the name of the Church, works of mercy continue to be carried out among the poorest and most suffering in society”, concludes the text.

The CPI focuses on the work of NGOs that operate in the center of São Paulo, especially in the Cracolândia region. On social media and in interviews, however, councilor Rubinho Nunes makes it clear that the main target is the priest, of whom he is a critic.

So much so that the choice of the two entities that will be within the scope of the CPI, Centro Social Nossa Senhora do Bom Parto, known as Bompar, and the Craco Resiste collective, would be the closest to the priest’s actions, according to the councilor.

The first is a philanthropic entity linked to the Catholic Church of which Father Júlio was an advisor, but is no longer one. The second works against police violence in the Cracolândia region.

The priest tells the column that he is not part of any NGO and has no involvement with projects that involve public money, and that, therefore, he sees no point in being investigated.

“If I am called to speak, which NGO will they say that I am from? Or, if they call me, they will be calling on the Archdiocese of São Paulo. My action belongs to the archdiocese, which is not an NGO and is not in agreement with the city hall. You won’t find public money in any of the actions”, he states.

“What the Chamber can do is monitor public money. There is no CPI to monitor the church”, he adds.

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