Father Omar Raposo, rector of the Christ the Redeemer Sanctuary in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is continuing to recover after a serious car accident on July 5, 2025, during a missionary trip to Venezuela.
The van carrying Father Omar and his team overturned on the way back from the mission. Though the incident was alarming, there were no fatalities.
Father Omar sustained eight fractured ribs, along with contusions to his lung and heart. He remains hospitalized at the Virgen de Guadalupe Clinic in Santa Ana de Coro, where he is receiving medical care and remains in regular contact with healthcare professionals in Brazil.
A Chain of Faith: Prayers Across Brazil and Venezuela
Since the accident, a strong network of prayer has emerged. In Rio de Janeiro, the faithful gathered at São José da Lagoa Parish, where Father Omar also serves as pastor, for a special Mass offered for his recovery. In Venezuela, spiritual support has been even more immediate and deeply moving.
The priests of San Antonio de Coro Parish, located in the same city as the hospital, have been by Father Omar’s side each day. They celebrate Holy Mass inside the clinic, bringing him the Eucharist, the comfort of the Word, and the fraternal presence of the local Church.
“Father Omar is getting better every day, strengthened by his faith,” said the priests who are closely accompanying his recovery through prayer, visits, and spiritual care.
United in prayer, the faithful entrust his healing to the intercession of Christ the Redeemer.
“May every Mass celebrated with you be a source of healing and hope!”
A Missionary Rector and Bridge-Builder
The trip to Venezuela aimed to strengthen the connection between Brazil’s iconic Christ the Redeemer monument on Corcovado and the Christ the Redeemer of La Chapa in the state of Falcón.
This effort is part of Father Omar’s broader project to create "twinning" partnerships between religious monuments and shrines around the world, promoting spiritual exchange, cultural dialogue, evangelization, and religious tourism.
Father Omar is also well known for his work in the social, cultural, and artistic spheres.
He is an author, singer, presenter, and founder of the Pastoral do Desenvolvimento Sustentável (Pastoral for Sustainable Development), an initiative active on multiple fronts within the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro.
Medical Update and Signs of Hope
According to the medical team at the Virgen de Guadalupe Clinic, Father Omar's condition is stable and continues to improve.
He is conscious, responding well to treatment, and currently undergoing respiratory rehabilitation and pain management. An upcoming CT scan will help determine the next steps in his recovery, including plans for his return to Brazil via air ambulance.