Acre Jesuit, scholar of Afro-based religions, dies in Santa Catarina – ac24horas.com

This Sunday, the 31st, in Santa Catarina, the Acre Jesuit priest Valdeli Carvalho da Costa, a scholar of religious sciences, especially those of an Afro-Brazilian origin, died. He died at the age of 90, of which 67 were dedicated to religious life in the Society of Jesus.

According to the note of condolence released by the Province of the Jesuits of Brazil, Valdeli was born on February 8, 1934, in Rio Branco (AC), but his religious journey began outside the state, on April 21, 1956, when he entered the Society of Jesus at the Novitiate in Itaici, Indaiatuba (SP).

Author of the book Umbanda: Os Seres Superiores e os Orixás/Santos, he had no recognized performance in his state of origin. He professed his first vows on June 13, 1958, and was sent to study Philosophy at Faculdade Nossa Senhora Medianeira, in Nova Friburgo (RJ), in 1960.

Valdeli received his doctorate in Fundamental Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, carrying out research on African religiosity in the Umbanda temples of Rio de Janeiro, in 1972 and 1973. In 1983, he taught as a professor of Pastoral III at PUC-Rio, addressing the topic “Church and Afro-Brazilian Religions”.

The wake of the Jesuit priest will take place this Monday (1), at the Nossa Senhora da Estrada Health and Wellbeing Community, in São Paulo. The burial was scheduled for the same day, at the Santíssimo Sacramento Cemetery.

Receive notifications Unsubscribe