Cardinal Dom Orani urges joint effort to protect Rio's Catholic heritage

The third Catholic Heritage Seminar was held at the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo in Rio de Janeiro’s historic centre, bringing together specialists, researchers, religious orders, public officials and security forces. Cardinal Dom Orani João Tempesta stressed that religious heritage is a societal asset and called for integrated collaboration among the Church, government, universities and the private sector.

He announced the creation of a Heritage Fund for the Catholic Cultural Heritage of Brazil, approved by the National Conference of Bishops (CNBB), to raise resources for restoration of historic images, sculptures, documents and liturgical objects. A panel highlighted the recovery of missing sacred art, with Federal Police and Civil Police experts presenting cases such as the restitution of pieces to the Irmandade de Nossa Senhora da Lapa dos Mercadores, demonstrating how research and police work can reverse historic losses.