Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct 5, 2009 / 14:01 pm
The Archdiocese of St. Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro issued a press release this week in which Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta thanked God for the city’s selection as host of the 2016 Olympic Games.
Archbishop Tempesta said, “We are very happy with this celebration and we hope that starting now peace, harmony and joy in our people are promoted even more.”
“May the blessing of the Redeemer and the intercession of St. Sebastian accompany us. Long live Rio 2016!” he exclaimed.
Well-aware of the fact that Rio de Janiero is the most violent city in Latin America, Archbishop Tempesta said a few days ahead of the vote, “Sports are an opportunity both to spread peace and to see to that is possible for people who are different to live side by side with each other.”