Charity as Dialogue of Action: A Theological analysis of the Collaboration between a Muslim Sheikh and a Catholic Priest in Assisting the Homeless in São Paulo

• Main Author: Barbosa, Carlos Cesar, SJ
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2024
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/apms/vol6/iss2/4; https://archium.ateneo.edu/context/apms/article/1083/viewcontent/03_20Barbosa_20v1.pdf
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

Father Júlio Lancellotti and Sheik Rodrigo Jalloul have joined forces in a collaborative effort to address the needs of the homeless population in São Paulo, Brazil. Their initiative aims to promote social justice and the common good, ensuring that the most vulnerable members of society receive the support and care they require. By working together, they not only provide tangible aid to the homeless but also foster interfaith dialogue and social justice, breaking down cultural and religious barriers. This partnership exemplifies a commitment to inclusivity and mutual respect, showcasing the power of unified action in addressing social issues. The city of São Paulo, Brazil's largest metropolis, is the scene of the remarkable collaboration between Sheikh Rodrigo Jalloul, the first Shiite cleric born in Brazil, and Father Júlio Lancellotti, the Archdiocese of São Paulo's vicar for people experiencing homelessness. Moved by Allah and Jesus's teachings, both religious leaders find in charity the bridge to work together and face the challenges—and even the prejudice—coming from within their respective religious communities. This aims to analyze the theological foundations of charity in both Christianity and Islam through the work of Sheik Jallou and Father Lancellotti, seeking to emphasize the role of charity as a factor capable of generating rapprochement and dialogue between Christianity and Islam.