Brazil’s Lula issues letter to evangelicals to allay concern

By MAURICIO SAVARESE
Associated Press

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has published an open letter to evangelicals aimed at countering claims he would persecute their faith. It’s also meant to gain votes among a large and growing part of the population. The letter says da Silva will respect religious freedoms if elected — as he did during his 2003-2010 presidency. Some of Brazil’s most popular evangelical pastors support incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro, some of whose backers have literally demonized aa Silva and his Workers’ Party. Da Silva denounced use of religion for political ends.