candelaria church, central

On the night of July 23, eight young people were killed by a group of men, several of them members of the police. The men were tried for the killings, but only two of them were convicted.

The Candel?ria is a famous Roman Catholic church. It is known around Rio de Janeiro for being a makeshift home to perhaps hundreds of homeless children, many of whom are involved with the illegal drug trade and prostitution. The church's personnel provides food, shelter, education and religious advice to as many of these children as possible. The Brazilian police keep a constant vigil on the church's surroundings.