[미션리포트] Brazil experiencing ‘riots against the presidential election’… “The important role of the church in a polarized society”

[앵커]
Today, we look at the news from Brazil, where riots broke out against the results of the recent presidential election.

On the 8th, far-right forces supporting former President Bolsonaro caused a riot claiming that the election was fraudulent. There are also concerns about future recurrence.

In the politically and economically polarized Brazilian society, the role of the church and the right faith are being emphasized more and more. News from Brazil, missionary Jo Ban-seok delivers.

[로이터 연합뉴스 자료사진] yunhap news
Q. What is the situation with the recent riots in Brazil?

The riots in Brasilia can be seen as a continuation of the protests of former President Bolsonaro’s supporters that have been going on for a long time. On October 31, 2022, after the presidential election results, for more than three weeks, highways have been blocked or large-scale protests and rallies have been held. Then, on January 8, they broke into the National Assembly building, the Presidential Palace, and the Constitutional Court, and there was a standoff that lasted for about five hours before being stopped by security forces. About 1,500 protesters were arrested that day.

There is one more shocking thing. It was found among the contents of the search and seizure of the former security minister’s house after the riots, that the Bolsunaro government actually had a plan close to a coup. Brazilian authorities have issued an arrest warrant. Former President Bolsonaro has denied accusations that he had instigated the riots.

Even after the riots, the government authorities are nervous because there is a movement to simulate a large-scale demonstration again in Brazil. In response, Brazil’s Supreme Court has granted an emergency order to block major roads across the country and increase security at public buildings. Protests and rallies across the country are waning.

Brasilia (Reuters = Yonhap News) Military forces arrest supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro during a protest against Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula Dasiouba in Brasilia, Brazil, on May 8, 2011. Bolsonaro’s supporters broke into the buildings of the three branches of the legislative, judicial, and administrative agencies, including the Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Presidential Palace, and protested against the results of the presidential election and called for a military coup, causing a riot. President Lula dispatched military forces to suppress the violence. Supporters of former US President Donald Trump disobeyed the results of the presidential election on January 6 last year and broke into Congress and caused a riot.
Q. The background and implications of this riot

One of the biggest characteristics of Brazilian society is the huge gap between the rich and the poor. And now, the two parties represent one side of this gap between the rich and the poor, and the other side, and this can be seen as such a situation. For example, Bolsonaro is the one who represents and supports the wealthy and the military. Lula is the other way around. It is a situation where the forces that politics fully support and the forces that support are completely divided. Perhaps this is the biggest influence.

The Brazilian media and many leaders see this riot as a threat to democracy that simultaneously threatened the powers of the three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. However, on the other hand, when looking at the background and contents of this case, I think it shows that the principle of separation of the three powers, which is already the basis of democracy within the Brazilian democracy, is very weak and collusion with each other. I think this is an incident that shows that Brazil needs to move toward a more mature democracy.

I think it would be nice if Christians were a bit prepared for how to participate in politics in this polarized political situation. It is important for churches to raise up proper leaders who can change and build society, politics, and culture. It is important to preach the gospel and save souls, but to raise such leaders, to participate in society in a healthy way. I think I need these too, so I personally thought about it a bit.

[로이터 연합뉴스 자료사진·재판매 및 DB 금지] yunhap news
Q. The challenges of the Brazilian church

I believe that the missionary challenge that will determine the future of the Protestant Church in Brazil is the lack of local leaders (resolved). Spiritually, Brazil is the largest Catholic country in the world, but the indigenous religions of enslaved Africans and indigenous peoples of Brazil have also influenced Brazilian society, as well as Protestantism and Catholicism, which is very turbid spiritually. In the early 20th century, due to the influence of Pentecostalism, Protestantism is growing steadily and the number of churches is increasing. In particular, in the local church, the moral and ethical part is collapsing a lot, and there are many appearances of relief and mystical faith. Therefore, nurturing biblically, theologically, and ministry-trained local ministers is considered a very important missionary task.

Next, I think that the ministry of serving with God’s love and the ministry of changing society and culture are very important. Brazilian society has very serious socio-economic problems such as corruption, drugs, poverty, and the gap between the rich and the poor. In particular, 50% of the entire population of Brazil live in poverty. Due to Corona, the overall economy is difficult, and many poor and homeless people have increased again. The number of homeless people in the family unit has also increased. Therefore, it is thought that it is necessary not only to convey God’s love through words, but also to serve those in need with God’s love and to do ministry for social and cultural change.

In Brazil, cooperation and cooperation that transcends denominational and missionary organizations is considered more important than ever. Please pray for the local churches in Brazil to go beyond the purpose of relief and spiritual experience, arm themselves with the Word, have mature faith, and become a holy community and a missionary community so that they can truly fulfill the role of light and salt in Brazil. Until now, I was a missionary Jo Ban-seok who was serving in Brazil. thank you.

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