Former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) asked Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), to receive religious assistance in prison. The name indicated by the defense of the former representative convicted of the coup plot is that of Bishop Robson Rodovalho, from the Sara Nossa Terra church. The request is still analyzed by the STF.
Rodovalho told GLOBO that he is awaiting Moraes’ decision and that he has been friends with the former president for more than 25 years. The bishop was a federal deputy from 2007 until 2011, during which time he was a colleague of the former president in parliament. In the presidential elections he participated in, Bolsonaro received the support of Rodovalho.
Founder of the Evangelical Community Sara Nossa Terra, Rede Gênesis de Televisão, Rede Sara Brasil FM and also the Council of Bishops and Pastors of Brazil (Concepab), Rodovalho has a degree in Physics, with a PHD in teaching quantum physics and spirituality from Florida Christian University, according to information on his personal website.
The bishop describes himself, also on his official website, as a person who “has a significant influence in the fields of politics, music, literature, leadership and spirituality”.
In an interview with GLOBORodovalho highlighted his long-standing personal relationship with Bolsonaro and said he received the nomination with “honor”.
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— Bolsonaro is dear, beloved people, who is very affectionate with us. We have been friends for more than 25 years, since we were deputies together — said the bishop, commenting on the possibility of spiritually accompanying the former president.
The statements were made after Minister Alexandre de Moraes ordered the Attorney General’s Office to comment on requests presented by Bolsonaro’s defense for remission of the sentence for reading, access to a television in the cell and authorization for regular religious assistance. The period granted to the PGR is five days.
According to Rodovalho, so far there has been no direct contact to deal with the logistics of possible assistance, and any initiative depends on judicial authorization.
— I have not yet been contacted by the defense or by the former president’s family. I have a lot of freedom for this, but I am respecting the rules and guidelines. We are praying a lot for him,” he said.
Rodovalho said he felt honored with the nomination and highlighted that he has maintained a personal bond with Bolsonaro since the period in which they both served in Congress.
From biblical readings to meditation
The bishop explained that spiritual assistance does not follow a rigid model and is usually adapted to the emotional and physical conditions of the person being assisted. According to him, the work involves religious practices aimed at inner strengthening.
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— We put together a program of biblical readings and prayers. It depends a lot on the situation. The objective is to raise the person’s inner strength, strengthen emotion, mind and heart. It will depend a lot on the emotional and physical aspect he is in. It’s work closely linked to faith,” he said.
Rodovalho added that, depending on the profile of the person accompanied, music can also be used as a spiritual support tool.
— There are people who really like music, so we minister through music. Others prefer the word, so we read and meditate together to strengthen. We have to work on faith — he said.
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The bishop also stated that he maintains contact with the former president’s family. According to him, there was a recent exchange of messages with former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro and senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ).
The request for religious assistance is part of a set of requests made by Bolsonaro’s defense to the STF. In addition to spiritual accompaniment, the lawyers requested the inclusion of the former president in the sentence redemption program through reading, provided for in the Penal Execution Law and regulated by resolution of the National Council of Justice (CNJ). According to the rules, each work read and evaluated can result in a four-day reduction in the sentence, upon presentation of a written report and judicial approval.
The defense also asked for authorization for Bolsonaro to have access to a Smart TV in his cell, arguing that the device would allow him to monitor journalistic content.
