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| Marcelo Crivella | |
|---|---|
| Name | Marcelo Crivella |
| Birth date | 9 October 1957 |
| Birth place | Rio de Janeiro |
| Nationality | Brazil |
| Occupation | Clergyman; politician; singer |
| Offices | Mayor of Rio de Janeiro (2017–2020) |
| Party | Republicanos (formerly Brazilian Republican Party) |
Marcelo Crivella is a Brazilian evangelical bishop, singer, and politician who served as mayor of Rio de Janeiro from 2017 to 2020 and as a senator for Rio de Janeiro from 2003 to 2016. He is a prominent figure in the Brazilian Pentecostal movement, with ties to international missionary organizations and national conservative coalitions, and has been a polarizing public figure due to his religious leadership and political controversies.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Crivella is the son of immigrants and grew up in a city shaped by the cultural influences of Copacabana, Ipanema, and the North Zone. He studied chemistry at technical schools before pursuing theological training linked to the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God movement and evangelical networks associated with the International Missionary Council and Assemblies of God. His early formative contacts included relationships with prominent Brazilian religious leaders such as Edir Macedo and international evangelical figures connected to missions in Africa and Portugal.
Crivella emerged as a leader within the Brazilian Pentecostal landscape as a pastor and bishop affiliated with the Brazilian Republican Party's religious constituency and with transnational evangelical organizations. He built a profile as a gospel music performer and recording artist, collaborating with artists from the Latin American and United States evangelical scenes and appearing on programs linked to broadcasters such as Rede Record and religious radio networks. His ecclesiastical work included missionary activity in countries like Angola and Mozambique and engagement with interdenominational forums featuring leaders from the World Council of Churches and conservative evangelical alliances.
Crivella's political trajectory began with election as senator for Rio de Janeiro in 2002, aligning with figures from the Workers' Party era and later with center-right coalitions including DEM and PSDB-aligned blocs. He served in the Federal Senate where he participated in committees interacting with ministries such as the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education. In 2016 he ran for mayor of Rio de Janeiro and, after a contested runoff involving opponents from Socialism and Liberty Party-linked and Brazilian Democratic Movement-linked tickets, he assumed office in 2017 supported by the Republicanos machine and allied with national figures from the administrations of Michel Temer and later interlocutors of Jair Bolsonaro.
As mayor, Crivella implemented fiscal measures affecting municipal budgets, public contracts, and urban programs tied to agencies like the Municipal Health Department and the Municipal Secretariat for Education. His administration intersected with controversies over relations with cultural institutions such as the Rio de Janeiro Museum and festivals connected to Carnival traditions, provoking debate with artists affiliated with Fundição Progresso and cultural collectives. Nationally, his positions on social issues drew criticism from leaders in the LGBT movement, academic circles at institutions like the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, and from journalists at outlets such as O Globo and Folha de S.Paulo.
Crivella has been subject to inquiries involving alleged irregularities in public contracting and municipal procurement overseen by entities like the Tribunal de Contas do Município do Rio de Janeiro and investigated by federal authorities including the Federal Police and the Public Prosecutor's Office. These probes examined links to fundraising activities tied to religious institutions and to intermediaries with connections to construction firms that have been scrutinized in broader cases such as Operation Car Wash tangential investigations. Legal actions included administrative proceedings in courts such as the Superior Court of Justice and electoral complaints filed with the Superior Electoral Court.
Crivella is also known as a gospel music singer and author of religious and missionary literature that circulated in Portuguese and in translations for communities in Africa and Portugal. He has family ties to leaders in evangelical networks and has engaged in philanthropic initiatives in partnership with NGOs and faith-based charities operating in neighborhoods like Complexo do Alemão and Rocinha. His public persona mixes devotional leadership, cultural production, and political advocacy, placing him among notable Brazilian religious politicians alongside figures such as Edir Macedo and Silas Malafaia.
Category:Brazilian politicians Category:Brazilian clergy Category:Mayors of Rio de Janeiro