‘No one disrespects Our Lady’: fears for Brazil’s patron saint grip country ahead of election
Brazil's presidential election is seeing an unusual religious controversy involving the country's patron saint, Our Lady of Aparecida. Tensions have risen following comments by candidate Flávio Bolsonaro regarding the role of religion in the state.
Why it matters
The intersection of religion and politics in Brazil is a major factor in the current election, potentially influencing voter behavior in a highly polarized environment.
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva holding an image of Our Lady of Aparecida. His rival Flávio Bolsonaro has called claims he plans to unseat the patron saint ‘fake news’. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva holding an image of Our Lady of Aparecida. His rival Flávio Bolsonaro has called claims he plans to unseat the patron saint ‘fake news’. Brazil ‘No one disrespects Our Lady’: fears for Brazil’s patron saint grip country ahead of election Speculation that Flávio Bolsonaro will try to strip Our Lady of Aparecida of position could become deciding factor in run-up to Sunday
Prefer the Guardian on Google A row of Biblical proportions has erupted in the run-up to Brazil’s presidential election, with the country’s patron saint, Our Lady of Aparecida, emerging as an unlikely kingmaker in the deadlocked race.
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