Our Lady Aparecida emerges as key issue in race for Brazil’s presidency

The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil issued a statement on Sept. 27 denying that the Church is involved in producing or spreading disinformation regarding presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro. The denial follows social media claims that Bolsonaro intends to remove the title of Patroness of Brazil from Our Lady of Aparecida.

The controversy began on Sept. 24 when journalist Maria Cristina Fernandes stated on the GloboNews cable channel that the Brazilian Church was mobilizing against an Evangelical project to strip the patron saint of her title. Fernandes suggested this mobilization could benefit the campaign of incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. GloboNews later apologized and acknowledged the information was false.

Following the broadcast, social media posts linked Flávio Bolsonaro to a plan against the patron saint. Some digital influencers cited a 2007 bill introduced by then-congressman Pastor Victorio Galli that sought to change the title of Our Lady of Aparecida. The presidential election is scheduled for Oct. 4.