Brazilian Woman Admits to Harassing Catholic Priest Online After Rejection
A woman in southern Brazil has admitted to harassing Catholic priest Fr. Joel Sávio online after he rejected her romantic advances. The Diocese of Criciúma confirmed that Fr. Sávio, rector of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Caravaggio, was the target of a smear campaign involving fake accounts, altered screenshots, and fabricated recordings aimed at damaging his reputation.
Justice Served and Charity Supported
As part of the resolution, the woman agreed to pay R$40,000 (approximately £5,000) in damages, which the diocese will donate to Casa do Egresso, a charity supporting former prisoners. She also accepted restrictions barring her from attending Masses or events where Fr. Sávio is present. Fr. Sávio has spoken publicly about the ordeal, emphasizing his commitment to biblical standards of repentance and restoration. The diocese has called on Christians to remain peaceful and use social media to advocate for justice. The investigation, codenamed “Pax Mentis,” found allegations of financial misconduct against Fr. Sávio to be unfounded.
