Medium killed and tomb desecrated in wave of Brazil attacks on spiritualists

A well-known medium has been killed killed and the tomb of another was desecrated Friday in the latest wave of violence targeting spiritualists in several days in Brazil, police said. Police are investigating after the body of Gilberto Arruda, 73, was found with his hands bound and his face swollen at the “Lar de Frei Luiz” spiritual center in Jacarepagua, a district of western Rio.

When we see signs of religious intolerance in our city it is very worrying. I am sure that these attackers are a minority, they are not Christians.

Archbishop of Rio, Orani Tempesta

Arruda practiced “spiritual surgery,” local media said, and claimed to be able to receive the spirit of a World War II German doctor. Separately, the tomb of popular medium Chico Xavier was desecrated in Uberaba, in Minas Gerais state, between Thursday and Friday. There has been a wave of similar incidents in recent days, especially in Rio de Janeiro. Evangelicals have been blamed for the violence.

Americas