President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declared on Wednesday, during the last ministerial meeting of the year, his intention to transform gospel music into Brazilian cultural heritage, in a gesture of rapprochement with the evangelical segment. The announcement was addressed directly to the Attorney General of the Union, Jorge Messias, appointed for a vacant position at the Supreme Federal Court (STF).
— Let us transform gospel music, Messiah, into a legacy. Next week you can be ready because, in addition to being a minister of the Supreme Court, you will be able to sing gospel music at the Palácio do Planalto — said Lula.
Despite his appointment to the STF, Messias has yet to be heard in the Federal Senate. This appointment faces resistance from the President of the House, Davi Alcolumbre (União Brasil-AP), which could delay the process.
The choice of Messiah for the Supreme Court was welcomed by evangelical sectors, but it opened a gap in the dialogue between the government and religious leaders. Since the beginning of Lula’s third term, the Attorney General of the Union has acted as Planalto’s main bridge with this public, participating in events like the March for Jesus and maintaining frequent dialogue with the Evangelical Parliamentary Front and leaders of major denominations, such as the Assembly of God.
Described behind the scenes as a “roots evangelical” linked to the so-called “conservative left,” Messias has attended the Christian Baptist Church in Brasilia since 2016 and has established himself as one of the central figures in the government’s strategy to reduce resistance among parliamentarians and evangelical believers.
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