Police Probe Priest Over Alleged Racial Abuse at Afro-Brazilian Rite in Praia Grande

Overview

• the confrontation occurred on November 2 during All Souls’ Day at the Morada da Grande Planície cemetery in Praia Grande, where an Afro-Brazilian ceremony was scheduled for 14:00 and a Catholic mass for 16:00.
• religious leader Leandro Oliveira Rocha, 44, says the priest entered around 15:28 and insulted him with slurs including “macaco,” “nojento,” and “imundo,” as later detailed in a police report.
• video recorded by Rocha’s wife captures part of the incident with attendees asking for respect, and she alleges the priest struck her hand, causing her phone to fall.
• according to the report, Military Police were called but did not take those involved to the station because the priest was set to conduct the mass.
• the 2nd Police District registered the case under ultraje a culto and racial injuria; the parish says time slots are set by the city and claims the priest remained silent while requesting the earlier ceremony’s conclusion, and no arrest has been reported.