2023-07-14 20:19:05
The Court of Justice of São Paulo prohibited the use of the phrase “under the protection of God” in the opening of sessions of the Chamber of Araçatuba. The decision was taken unanimously by the judges.
The Internal Rules of the City Council of Araçatuba provided that, at the opening of each session, the president of the House or the president of the session would declare that “under the protection of God, we begin our work”, followed by the reading of a biblical verse by one of the councilors present.
The Public Ministry filed a Direct Action of Unconstitutionality (ADI), and in May of this year the Court of Justice decided that the practice violated the concept of the secular State, where one religion cannot be privileged over others, repeating a similar decision taken against the Town Hall of Engenheiro Coelho.
According to information from the portal G1the City Council informed that it was only informed of the decision now, in July.
The rapporteur of the process, judge Tarcísio Ferreira Vianna Cotrim, the opening sentence of the sessions violates the principle of secularism in the Brazilian state, since the Chamber of Araçatuba, as a public institution inserted in a secular state, cannot privilege a religion to the detriment of the others or those who do not have a religious belief.
In the interpretation of the judge, the sentence required by the Internal Regulations of the City Council of Araçatuba configures a State interference in the right to religious freedom, also offending the principles of isonomy, purpose and public interest, since it does not bring benefits to the community. .
The decision will be put into practice from August 7th, when the current parliamentary recess in the city ends. The phrase “under the protection of God”, despite being part of the preamble of the Federal Constitution, is now considered unconstitutional in Araçatuba.
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