Venezuela: Rector of the River Redeemer suffers Traffic Accident

The Rector of the Sanctuary of Christ Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), P. Omar Raposo, and the shooting team of a documentary in the Archdiocese of Coro (Venezuela) suffered a traffic accident on Saturday, July 5, returning from a filming.

P. Omar suffered a fracture of eight ribs and lung and cardiac bruises, but his health is stable, according to the press office of the Sanctuary A Aci digital “Ewtn Portuguese news agency,” highlighting that, fortunately, there were no fatalities.

“P. Omar is hospitalized in the city, receiving the necessary medical care,” said the press office of the sanctuary. “The medical team is already in contact with professionals in Brazil,” he added.

At the same time, the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Coro, P. Carlos Yépez, told ACI Press that the Van car that moved to Fr. Omar and the team that accompanied him lost control and overturned in a curve of the road that leads to the city of Choir.

The priest, who was present in the place, manages the hypothesis that the vehicle tried to dodge a motorcycle on the road. This maneuver, together with an alleged crystallization of the VAN brakes, would have caused the accident.

“There is no projection of when I could receive the medical discharge, we do not know how long it will last here in Venezuela, that will be determined by doctors, but for now they will continue hospitalized until they determine the right time so that I can return to Brazil in an obviously prepared plane, in an air ambulance,” said Vicar General.

Until now, Fr. Omar has not had to be surgically intervened in the Guadalupe Coro Clinic, where he is hospitalized.

“My prayers and my accompaniment with Father Omar. The Archdiocese of Chorus is on the lookout and accompanying him. Our archbishop, Mons. Víctor Hugo Basabe, has been very attentive in what has been his recovery, so that Father Omar can return to Brazil and can continue his work and that wonderful work that he does,” said Fr. Yépe.

Why is Fr. Omar in Venezuela?

Fr. Omar visited the historic Church of Coro, in the Venezuelan state of Falcón, where the first Mass was held in Latin America in 1527.

Continuing with the pilgrimage, which began in April of this year, of the Cross of the First Mass in Brazil, Fr. Omar initiated the recording of a documentary about this Mass with the Archdiocese of Chorus, which is also the first episcopal headquarters in Latin America, according to the press office of the sanctuary.

According to the sanctuary, Fr. Omar “establishes alliances with religious monuments and institutions around the world, promoting cultural exchange and strengthening religious tourism.”