Ten priests from six municipalities in the Brazilian state of Goiás are pushing back against what they call “shameful attacks, slander, and lies directed against” their bishop, Adair José Guimarães, in the midst of a heated presidential election campaign in the world’s most populous Catholic country.
In a video posted on social media, a resident of Goiás calls the bishop a “representative of Satan” and a “demon,” and accuses him of engaging in politics during his sermons.
According to the priests, “these shameful attacks” are “baseless, filled with hatred, fueled by ideological prejudices, and distorted by uncivil ignorance.”
The 10 priests who signed the joint statement in defense of Guimarães are Fathers Hélio Cordeiro, Ary Ramos, Denis Rodrigues, Deusli Evangelista, Frederico Ornelas, Moacir Santana, Carlos Neves, Mário Vieira, Pablo Veleda, and Renato Silva.
In the video, the man appears wearing a cap bearing the slogan “Lula — Brazil happy again” and criticizes Guimarães’ pastoral work, linking him politically to former President Jair Bolsonaro.
“That Bishop Adair is a Satan — I say it and I repeat it — he is the devil’s representative here on earth,” the man says. In another part of the video, he states: “The guy just goes to church. He doesn’t preach the Gospel; all he talks about is communism.”
Without offering proof, the man also accuses the bishop of receiving money from businessman Daniel Vorcaro to engage in political activity favoring Flávio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former president Jair Bolsonaro who faces incumbent president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in an Oct. 25 runoff election for president.
“He must be getting money from Vorcaro to play politics for Bolsonaro,” the Lula supporter says.
Throughout the recording, the man urges the faithful to stop attending churches whose leaders, according to him, support Bolsonaro. “If you see a church where the leaders are Bolsonaristas — where their god is Bolsonaro — don’t get involved; get out as fast as you can,” he says.
The video also features criticism of Bolsonaro and members of his family, along with expressions of support for Lula and comments on labor rights, social programs, and the country’s past military dictatorship.
Statements by Bishop Guimarães
Guimarães has made statements touching upon politics and ideologies on various occasions within the context of reflections on Catholic participation in public life, freedom, and the use of faith for political ends.
In August 2025, during a “Desperta Brasil” (“Awaken Brazil”) Catholic event in Brasilia, Guimarães invoked the intercession of Our Lady of Aparecida for the country and mentioned communism during a blessing. Specifically, the bishop asked God to grant a blessing that “spares us from hunger, war, disease, and communism.”
On Jan. 15 of this year, in a video reflection, Guimarães criticized ideologies and dictatorial regimes. “It is impossible for us to be foolish enough to believe that ideology — that dictatorship — brings well-being to people. It brings hunger, misery, and suffering,” he said. He also criticized communism, fascism, and Nazism, stating that these regimes “stifle peopleʼs freedom.”
On Sept. 28, the bishop commented on the circulation of a false report regarding a supposed proposal to strip Our Lady of Aparecida of her title as patroness of Brazil. “Those who use Our Lady of Aparecida for personal gain — of whatever nature — will not fare well,” he said.
The false information linked the alleged proposal to Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, who denied supporting any such initiative.
More recently, on Oct. 2, Guimarães urged Catholics to participate in the elections and examine the track records of the candidates. “If you cast a null vote or do not vote at all, you are empowering the worst politicians, because they benefit from your absence,” he said. The bishop also advised voters to consider the candidates’ stances on abortion, family, and faith.
‘We live in a democratic country’
In the statement, the priests of Formosa also emphasized that political disagreements are part of democratic life but do not justify attacks on others’ honor.
“We live in a democratic country; as such, and as citizens, we are free to disagree on partisan political issues,” they said. The priests also cited a phrase attributed to St. Augustine: “In essentials, unity; in doubtful matters, liberty; in all things, charity.”
As the priests explained, “partisan politics falls within the realm of the debatable; thus, the fact that we hold divergent positions in this arena does not necessarily make us enemies, let alone give us the right to attack anyone’s honor.”
In closing, the priests asked for the intercession of Our Lady of Aparecida for peace and reconciliation in Brazil.
“May the Virgin of Aparecida, Queen and Patroness of Brazil, intercede for our country and for all the Brazilian people, so that we may find and build paths of peace, justice, and reconciliation.”
This story was first published by ACI Digital, the Portuguese-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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