Sao Paulo, Brazil, Oct 21, 2008 / 09:21 pm (CNA).- Despite opposition from the Archdiocese of Sao Paulo, a group of Brazilian priests who call themselves the “Catholics’ Forum for Justice” distributed thousands of pamphlets last weekend supporting Marta Suplicy, an abortion rights and homosexual marriage supporter who is running for mayor of Sao Paolo.

According to local reports, the group is led by Fathers Tarcisio Marques Mesquita and Julio Lancelotti.  Lancelotti’s leadership has been called into question because of pedophilia charges. 

The two priests penned a “Letter to Christians” to encourage believers to “banish” their “prejudices” against politicians who defend abortion and same-sex unions.

“We do not elect candidates because of their hair color, whether or not they use botox, or whether they discuss sexual choice,” Father Tarcisio Marques Mezquita said.  “What we are discussing here are the interests of the city of Sao Paulo,” he added.

According to the Movement for the Defense of Life, the controversial pamphlet does not mention that the candidacy of Suplicy, together with the government of President Lula, has a history of making alliances with foreign interests to finance the spread of abortion in Brazil, even though the majority of Brazilians are against abortion.

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