Brazil election row erupts over plan to unseat patron saint
Claims that far-right candidate Flávio Bolsonaro seeks to remove Our Lady of Aparecida as Brazil's patron saint have ignited a religious firestorm.
A controversy over whether presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro plans to remove Brazil's patron saint, Our Lady of Aparecida, has intensified days before the election. The son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, the far-right challenger has denied the claims as 'fake news' spread by supporters of his opponent, leftwing incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and members of the Catholic Episcopal Conference. Lula has directly addressed the rumors, stating at a rally in the Amazon, 'As long as I’m president, no one will disrespect Our Lady of Aparecida. No one. People need to learn to respect all religions.'
The quarrel erupted after media reports highlighted Catholic Church concerns and unearthed an abandoned 2007 bill, proposed by a Bolsonaro-aligned lawmaker, to demote the patron saint. The viral claim last week prompted Bolsonaro to assert, 'Everyone knows that I respect religions. All of them!' and accuse the government of spreading misinformation. The election is scheduled for Oct. 4. If no candidate wins an outright majority, a runoff will occur on Oct. 25.
Evangelical power and Catholic anxiety in Brazilian politics
Political analyst Thomas Traumann says the furore taps into a genuine fear among Catholics of being pushed outside a system they have historically dominated. Evangelicals, though about 30% of the population, wield outsized influence within Bolsonaro's movement. Traumann stated, 'It touched a raw nerve, which is the growing power of the evangelicals. Evangelicals make up about 30% of the population, but their political power is much greater than 30%, and within Bolsonarismo it is even more significant.' He believes the issue could be important in the election.
According to a 2022 census, 56.7% of Brazil’s population is Catholic and 26.9% is Evangelical. Evangelicals do not recognise Our Lady of Aparecida as a saint. Historian Luiz Antônio Simas believes religious racism is also at the heart of the outcry because Our Lady of Aparecida is a black representation of the Virgin Mary. Rodrigo Nunes said most Catholics are perturbed because the rumor challenges their tacit position as Brazil's dominant religion.
Cultural significance of Our Lady of Aparecida beyond religion
The figure's importance extends far beyond church altars. Historian Luiz Antônio Simas, author of So Many Marys: Our Lady in Popular Culture, states that Our Lady of Aparecida is a defining element of Brazilian popular culture. The Black Madonna representation appears in samba parades, football culture, and Afro-Brazilian faiths, embedding her in the nation's cultural and racial identity. Attacks on her status are perceived as cultural and racial affronts.
Pope Pius XI declared Our Lady of Aparecida Brazil’s patron saint in 1930.
Voter intentions reveal a stark religious divide
Polls show a near-tie between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro, with religious identity sharply defining voter alignment. A Quaest survey reveals a clear split:
| Voter Group | Lula Support | Bolsonaro Support |
|---|---|---|
| Catholic | 48 percent | 29 percent |
| Evangelical | 27 percent | 46 percent |
The upcoming result is expected to be even tighter than the last election, which Lula won over Jair Bolsonaro by less than 2%. The current controversy stems partly from an August 23 video where Senator Bolsonaro said he would 'declare that Brazil belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ,' a statement some Catholics interpreted as intending to remove the patron saint.
Personal faith and political symbolism on the campaign trail
Candidates are leveraging religious symbolism to connect with voters. Lula's wife, Janja da Silva, has worn a pendant honouring Our Lady of Aparecida. Lula himself has appeared on the campaign trail holding statuettes of the Virgin Mary. His running mate, devout Catholic Geraldo Alckmin, published a video assuring worried Catholics that he and Lula would preserve and protect religious traditions. Comparative politics professor Victor Araujo said Lula is trying to neutralize Bolsonaro's moral appeal by engaging with religious controversies.
Thomas Traumann said of the patron saint controversy, 'It could sway things one way or the other.' If no candidate wins an outright majority on Sunday, a runoff will occur on Oct. 25.
