When faith sparks an election row

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 1, 2026

Brazil’s presidential candidates are clashing over the status of Our Lady of Aparecida, the country’s patron saint, as a way to court Catholic and evangelical voters ahead of the election. This dispute highlights the growing religious divide in Brazil, with Lula leveraging the issue to challenge Bolsonaro’s support among the Catholic majority while Bolsonaro maintains strong backing from evangelical communities.

The status of Brazil’s patron saint, Our Lady of Aparecida, has become a contentious issue in the country’s presidential election campaign, highlighting growing tensions between the predominantly Catholic majority and the expanding evangelical population. The debate has emerged amid efforts by the leading candidates to appeal to religious voters ahead of upcoming elections.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, seeking a fourth nonconsecutive term, recently addressed claims that his right-wing rival, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, plans to remove the patron saint status of Our Lady of Aparecida if elected. Lula emphatically rejected such intentions, stating at a rally that “no one is going to disrespect Our Lady of Aparecida” during his presidency. He has drawn attention to reports that members of the Catholic Church have expressed concern over the future of the saint, who is widely revered in Brazil and depicted as a black woman.

Flavio Bolsonaro, who frequently references religion in his campaign, has denied the accusations, calling the allegations “fake news” and emphasizing his respect for all religions. The controversy intensifies after the resurfacing of a 2007 bill, originally proposed by a lawmaker aligned with Bolsonaro, which sought to demote the patron saint’s status, stirring speculation and online debate.

Political analysts see the dispute as a strategic move by Lula to challenge Bolsonaro’s appeal among religious voters. Victor Araujo, a comparative politics professor at the University of Reading, noted that by engaging directly with religious controversies, Lula aims to diminish Bolsonaro’s moral credibility and put him on the defensive in this domain.

Polling data underscores the religious divide in voter intentions. According to a recent survey by Quaest, Lula leads with 48% of the Catholic vote, compared to 29% for Bolsonaro, while Bolsonaro holds a significant advantage among evangelical voters, with 46% support versus Lula’s 27%. Evangelicals, a rapidly growing group in Brazil’s political landscape, generally do not recognize saint veneration, adding complexity to the religious dynamics of the election.

Views among voters reflect this division. Janaína, a 51-year-old Catholic art teacher in Rio de Janeiro, expressed apprehension about what she perceives as an evangelical push to diminish Catholic influence, saying religion should not be politicized. In contrast, Andre Paschoal, a 58-year-old civil servant and fellow churchgoer, criticized Lula for exploiting the issue, suggesting it is an artificial tactic unlikely to win votes. Similarly, 70-year-old artist Tereza Helael, attending an evangelical service in Rio, described the controversy as a calculated political ploy intended to target specific voter groups.

As the election approaches, the debate over religious symbolism and influence remains a key element in the campaign strategies of both candidates, reflecting broader societal shifts within Brazil’s diverse religious landscape.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.