BRAZIL · POLITICS
Key Facts
- What is happening Bishop Edir Macedo said in a Sunday, 25 October service, “I do not approve of that ‘God, homeland and family’ theory”. A video of it circulated by 2 November.
- Why it matters Several Brazilian outlets tie the slogan to the Bolsonaro family. Macedo did not name Bolsonaro.
- The numbers Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won the 25 October runoff with 51.79% of valid votes, or 64.3 million, against 48.21% for Flávio Bolsonaro.
- Who is who Macedo founded the Universal Church, a large evangelical denomination. Flávio Bolsonaro, a Liberal Party senator, lost the runoff.
- What to watch Whether Macedo or the church explains the remark, and how Universal-linked lawmakers position themselves.
- What it means for you The remark changes no law or trade rule for US readers. It is one signal on Brazil’s evangelical vote.
- Power Index Brazil ranks 1st of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 75.0 points (October 2026 edition).
Bishop Edir Macedo said he does not approve of the motto “God, homeland and family”. He spoke in a church service on the day of Brazil’s runoff.
Edir Macedo, the bishop who founded Brazil’s Universal Church, said he does not approve of the motto “God, homeland and family”. He spoke during a morning service on Sunday, 25 October, the day of the presidential runoff.
A video of the sermon had circulated on social media by Monday, 2 November. No comment from the church has been published, and Macedo did not name Bolsonaro in the quoted words.
What the Bishop Said
Macedo put God first, the family second and the state third. He asked whether a homeland can exist without family and answered, “Impossible”.
He added that a homeland exists only when it comes from the family, which comes from God. The quotes here are translated from the Portuguese video.
Why the Slogan Is Political
The phrase has been used as a rallying cry by the Bolsonaro family and its supporters. Several Brazilian outlets framed Macedo’s remark as criticism of that camp’s slogan, which he did not say himself.
Flávio Bolsonaro, a senator for the conservative Liberal Party, lost the runoff to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who was re-elected president. The electoral court (TSE) counted 64.3 million votes, or 51.79% of valid votes, for Lula.
The Universal Church and the 2026 Vote
The Universal Church backed Jair Bolsonaro’s re-election bid in 2022. This year it did not endorse a candidate in the presidential race.
Republicanos, a centre-right party with Universal-linked lawmakers, backed Flávio Bolsonaro on 7 October after staying neutral in round one. Its president, Marcos Pereira, said the support was not a blank cheque.
What It Means for You
For US readers the remark changes no law, tariff or trade rule. It adds one data point on how Brazil’s large evangelical electorate may position itself after the runoff.
Investors in Brazilian assets should note that the church is a religious and media group, not a government actor. The next markers are any statement from the church and the new Congress’s votes.
See also Lula Wins Brazil Runoff With 51.78% and Brazil’s 41-Seat Republicanos Party Backs Bolsonaro Son. More on the country is on the Brazil hub, on the São Paulo city page and in coverage of Macedo’s Banco Digimais.
What Is Not Known
It is not known why Macedo made the remark or whether he meant it as a political statement. No explanation from Macedo or the church has been made public.
It is not known whether the remark will change how Universal-linked lawmakers vote in Congress. The church where the service took place has not been named.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Edir Macedo say about “God, homeland and family”?
He said he does not approve of that theory and put God first, family second and the state third. He also said a homeland only exists when it comes from the family.
Who is Edir Macedo?
He is the bishop who founded the Universal Church, a large evangelical denomination in Brazil. The church backed Jair Bolsonaro in 2022 but did not endorse a presidential candidate in 2026.
Did Macedo criticise Bolsonaro by name?
No, the quoted words do not name Jair or Flávio Bolsonaro. The motto itself is linked to the Bolsonaro family.
Who won Brazil’s 2026 presidential runoff?
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was re-elected on Sunday, 25 October, with 51.79% of valid votes. Flávio Bolsonaro took 48.21%, the electoral court says.
Sources: Superior Electoral Court (TSE) results of 25 October 2026; Universal Church of the Kingdom of God; video of the 25 October service as circulated online; Republicanos party announcement of 7 October 2026 (all accessed 3 November 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
Brazil runoff, Sunday, October 25: When is the Brazil runoff election. Latest: Brazil runoff polls, Flávio 51%, Lula 49%.