Speculation that Flávio Bolsonaro might seek to end Our Lady of Aparecida’s status as Brazil’s patroness has stirred controversy before Sunday’s presidential vote. Bolsonaro says he has no such plan.
The debate grew after the challenger to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said in a broadcast that, if elected, he would declare Brazil belonged to Jesus Christ. Some Catholics saw the remark as a threat to the patroness’s position. The Vatican named her patroness in 1930 and alone has the power to change that designation.
Bolsonaro accused Lula supporters and members of Brazil’s Catholic bishops’ conference of spreading the rumour; the conference denied the allegation. Lula has appeared at campaign events with statuettes of the Virgin Mary and spoken in defence of respect for Our Lady of Aparecida.
Polls put the two candidates level. Political analyst Thomas Traumann said the dispute could influence the outcome, though its effect on voters remains uncertain.
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