Hoisted Aloft By Party Balloons, Brazilian Priest Lost At Sea: Father Adelir Antionio de Carlie & Lawn Chair Larry

Mind Shadows Hoisted Aloft By Party Balloons, Brazilian Priest Lost At Sea: Father Adelir Antionio de Carlie & Lawn Chair Larry

This account is reminiscent of Lawn Chair Larry, who floated into the middle of Los Angeles airliner traffic. Airliner pilots reported to air traffic control that they had just passed a man in a lawn chair. Larry finally landed in the Pacific Ocean. As for the priest, there must be a better way to raise money for a parish--

A Brazilian priest is missing after he drifted out to sea while trying to set a record for a flight using helium-filled party balloons, authorities said on Tuesday.

Father Adelir Antonio de Carli began his flight suspended in a harness-like seat from 1,000 balloons of various colors on Sunday in the southern port of Paranagua. He had intended to fly 20 hours due west but unexpected winds carried the 42-year-old Roman Catholic priest out over the south Atlantic on a southeasterly course.

Denise Gallas, coordinator of the parish where de Carli worked, said he was last heard from Sunday evening when he used his cell phone to give his coordinates.

"He was already over the ocean then," she said.

De Carli, who flew around 55 miles (90 kilometers) before losing contact, had wanted to draw attention to the work of his parish in Paranagua, which targets mostly truck drivers who transport goods to and from the port. More.