Quarenta and five years of priesthood carry deep marks. The 55-year-old priest from Minas Gerais decided to speak without filters about the costs of excessive visibility.
Padre Fábio from Melo gave an interview to the videocast Conversa Vai, Conversa Vem, from the newspaper O Globo. Ele addressed his mother’s death, the impact of fame and the constant questions about his sexuality. The religious man also presented the new album O kiss que vós me northeastes, marked by partnerships with names like Gilberto Gil and Milton Nascimento.
Fama changed routine and brought regrets
Success came quickly. Padre Fábio of Melo started to perform up to 35 shows per month in different parts of the country. Ele has always valued calm and simple routine. The sudden change generated internal dispersion.
“My biggest regrets were when I identified the arrogance that I disapproved of in others repeated in me,” said the priest. Ele recognized that excessive exposure caused behaviors that he previously criticized. Over time, he sought a balance between public life and taking care of himself. Hoje understands that it needs to double its internal attention to each part it offers to the public.
Fame, for him, represents an illusion. Ela takes away spontaneity and deprives personal paths. The priest described the process as a gradual theft of himself.
Luto by mother brought pain and liberation
The death of his mother, Ana Maria, during the pandemic, marked the religious man intensely. Ela passed away at the age of 83 due to complications from Covid-19. Physical absence prevented in-person goodbyes.
“It’s the greatest sadness in the world, but it’s also the greatest liberation,” he declared. The bond was so strong that he was constantly afraid of leaving her alone. The loss ruptured a deep meaning. “You know that thing about ‘I have someone for me’? Não I have more”, he lamented.
The theme centralized the book Vida is Cruel, Ana Maria. Pain helped the priest to recover his essence and prioritize authentic connections.
- The mother died without saying goodbye in person due to the pandemic
- Grief mixed deep sadness with a sense of liberation
- The bond generated constant fear of abandonment
- The experience reinforced the commitment to seek out the forgotten
Depressão and panic syndrome after loss in the family
In 2017, shortly after the suicide of a sister, Father Fábio of Melo faced depression and panic syndrome. The family has a history of depressive episodes. Of the seven brothers, several attempted their own lives.
“I experienced a combo that was difficult to manage,” he said. Ele admitted to planning in difficult times, but never trying. The crisis made him understand that the main fight takes place within himself. “I need to find resources to survive myself,” he said.
The song “Who will take me is me”, by Dominguinhos, served as a turning point. The lyrics reinforced that the solution was within. Art transformed suffering into material for the new album.
Questionamentos about sexuality generates discomfort
Attacks on social media about the priest’s intimate life are recurrent. Ele countered the comments by explaining that sexuality goes beyond the genital dimension.
“It may not have genital life, but sexuality involves all of our affections,” he explained. Human communication, according to him, is born from seduction and affective exchange. The religious man criticized the hostile environment created on the internet. “We are turning life into a battlefield, it makes us sick.”
Ele has gotten used to public curiosity. Ainda thus reinforced that he does not live according to other people’s opinions. “If I hang out with you, they’ll say I’m having an affair. Vou will always be a victim of this,” he commented. What would really offend you would be accusations of bad character or harm to others.
Novo album celebrates Nordeste and overcoming
The album The Kiss You Northeast Me arrives as a landmark for a new beginning. Inspirado in northeastern references and in songs by Dominguinhos, the work brings together special appearances. Gilberto Gil, Milton Nascimento, Maria Rita and Elba Ramalho are among the guests.
The project reflects the miner’s connection to Nordeste. Padre Fábio of Melo described the region as a “college” of generosity and spiritual richness. Songs by Chico César and Luiz Gonzaga are part of the repertoire.
The work is born directly from the depression overcome. Art worked as a filter to process pain and reconnect internal fragments. The launch takes place this Friday.
Vida public and mental health
The priest highlighted that excessive visibility sickened his inner life. Ele has always preferred simplicity. The pressure for constant shows altered old routines. Mesmo thus found the measure to continue.
The interview also touched on spirituality beyond religions. Para he, art and philosophy can generate elevated experiences. Christianity made sense of attributes such as beauty and truth.
Padre Fábio from Melo has millions of followers on the networks. Ele balances music production, books and priestly work. Shared vulnerability reinforces your message of soul searching.