He’s forcing them to halt activities.
In northern Rio de Janeiro, recent disruptions in four Catholic parishes have raised concerns, allegedly linked to Álvaro Santa Rosa, known as Peixão, a local gang leader who has converted to Neo-Pentecostal Evangelicalism. The affected parishes—St. Hedwig and St. Cecilia in Brás de Pina, and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and St. Justin in Parada de Lucas—temporarily suspended their activities. Reports indicate that armed people on motor bikes visited these churches, demanding an immediate halt to all services, which was later confirmed by the parishes themselves via social media.
Peixão, who wields influence over several favelas in the Israel Complex area, has a troubling history of religious intolerance, particularly towards Afro-Brazilian religions like Umbanda and Candomblé. His past actions include pressuring the closure and relocation of religious centers and being associated with attacks on religious figures and sites. This background raises concerns about the motives behind the sudden suspension of church activities, although specific reasons were not disclosed by the parishes.
Following the incidents, there was widespread media coverage and community apprehension, prompting the Rio de Janeiro state government to deploy police forces to ensure security in the affected areas. Officials clarified that there were no formal directives from criminal factions regarding the operation of churches, aiming to calm tensions and reassure the community. Despite the reassurances, the closures and the alleged involvement of local gang dynamics in religious affairs underscore ongoing challenges in areas where organized crime intersects with community life and religious practice.
The situation highlights broader issues of religious freedom and security in Rio’s favelas, where criminal groups often wield significant influence over daily life. The temporary cessation of church activities also reflects the complex socio-political dynamics and challenges faced by religious communities in navigating their operations amidst local power structures and security concerns. As investigations continue into the incidents and their implications, there is a call for sustained efforts to protect religious freedoms and ensure the safety of all community members affected by such disruptions.