Padre Léo
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Léo Tarcísio Gonçalves Pereira, (9 October 1961 – 4 January 2007), better known as "Padre Léo", was a Brazilian priest of the Congregation of Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ( Dehonian). Currently he is a
Servant of God Servant of God () is a title used in the Catholic Church to indicate that an individual is on the first step toward possible canonization as a saint. Terminology The expression ''Servant of God'' appears nine times in the Bible, the first five in ...
.


Biography

He was son of Joaquim Mendes and Maria Nazaré. He joined the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) in 1983 and, on October 12, 1995, founded the Bethânia Community, which today has more than thirty members and five houses throughout Brazil, which aim to welcome and offer treatment to drug addicts, alcoholics and HIV carriers, as well as abandoned minors. In 2002 he was given the title of honorific citizen of
Curitiba Curitiba () is the capital and largest city in the state of Paraná (state), Paraná in Southern Brazil. The city's population was 1,773,718 , making it the List of cities in Brazil by population, eighth most populous city in Brazil and the larg ...
, state of Paraná. Father Léo not only was a priest and preacher, but also a singer, composer, presenter and writer. He had a
Conservative Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy and ideology that seeks to promote and preserve traditional institutions, customs, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civiliza ...
mind - a preeminent Catholic voice among
Conservatism in Brazil Conservatism in Brazil () designates the movement originated from certain cultural traditions of Brazil, as well as the relationship with Portuguese- Iberian cultural roots and diverse influences. The movement received influences from Roman herit ...
- but an informal communication
style Style, or styles may refer to: Film and television * ''Style'' (2001 film), a Hindi film starring Sharman Joshi, Riya Sen, Sahil Khan and Shilpi Mudgal * ''Style'' (2002 film), a Tamil drama film * ''Style'' (2004 film), a Burmese film * '' ...
.


Cancer

In April 2006, Father Léo began a cancer treatment he had and, even weakened, was present at the event "Hosana Brasil 2006", of the
Canção Nova The Canção Nova (English: ''New Song'') is a Brazilian Catholic community founded by Monsignor Jonas Abib in 1978, following the lines of Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Headquartered in the city of Cachoeira Paulista (SP), it occupies an area ...
Community, in December, much downplayed by the treatment.


Death

On January 4, 2007, he died at the Hospital das Clínicas in
São Paulo São Paulo (; ; Portuguese for 'Paul the Apostle, Saint Paul') is the capital of the São Paulo (state), state of São Paulo, as well as the List of cities in Brazil by population, most populous city in Brazil, the List of largest cities in the ...
, victim of a generalized infection as a result of an incurable cancer in the lymphatic system (
lymphoma Lymphoma is a group of blood and lymph tumors that develop from lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). The name typically refers to just the cancerous versions rather than all such tumours. Signs and symptoms may include enlarged lymph node ...
).


Beatification process

In 2020, his
beatification Beatification (from Latin , "blessed" and , "to make") is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a deceased person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in their name. ''Beati'' is the p ...
process was opened.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Padre Léo 21st-century Brazilian Roman Catholic priests 1961 births 2007 deaths Brazilian Servants of God