The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil denied on Sunday claims by presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro that church insiders helped spread false election information.
In an official clarification note, the bishops said a lie cannot be fought with another lie and warned that accusations without facts or proof unfairly target the institution.
The clash follows viral social media posts claiming that Bolsonaro, a federal senator running for the presidency for the Liberal Party, intended to strip Our Lady of Aparecida of her title as the patroness of Brazil.
Bolsonaro denied the claim about the patron saint. He said earlier that the opposition Workers' Party had spent days attempting to manufacture the story and succeeded with help from people inside the bishops conference.
Rejection of partisan links
The bishops conference, widely known as the CNBB, stated that it did not produce, authorise, or participate in the preparation or dissemination of false information linked to the current electoral campaign.
The organization also declared that it repudiates the creation and use of false information, regardless of where it comes from or who it might help or harm. It rejected any partisan alignment, stating that the conference does not belong to any political party, partisan structure, or candidacy.
Church leaders explained that their public remarks during elections stem strictly from their pastoral mission and public principles, guided by human dignity, the common good, democracy, and freedom of conscience. The conference added that accusing the institution of involvement in disinformation without presenting facts or evidence causes unjust damage.
Patron saint controversy in Brazilian elections
The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil represents the Catholic hierarchy in the country, which has the largest Catholic population in the world. Our Lady of Aparecida is venerated as the principal patroness of Brazil, making religious devotion a prominent issue during national political campaigns.
Bolsonaro is campaigning for the presidency as a conservative senator, while the Workers' Party represents the country's main leftist political force. The bishops concluded their statement by reaffirming their commitment to truth, dialogue, and peace.
