Zélio Fernandino de Moraes
Encyclopedia
Zélio Fernandino de Moraes (10 April 1891–1975) was a Brazilian medium
who is considered the founder of the Umbanda Branca
sect.
He was born on 10 April 1891 in São Gonçalo
. At the age of 17, Zélio joined the Brazilian Navy. He was hospitalized with paralysis
, but claimed to have been miraculously healed. This led to contacts with Brazilian spiritism
movements, and he became spokesman for a spirit entity named "Caboclo das Sete Encruzilhadas." He later claimed to be in contact with other entities, including one named "Father Antônio."
Between 1918 and 1935, Zélio organized various temples/centers for Umbanda. In 1939, the Spiritist Union of Umbanda in Brazil (União Espiritista de Umbanda do Brasil, or UEUB) was formed to oversee the centers. Zélio continued to actively run the organization until his death at age 84.
Mediumship
Mediumship is described as a form of communication with spirits. It is a practice in religious beliefs such as Spiritualism, Spiritism, Espiritismo, Candomblé, Voodoo and Umbanda.- Concept :...
who is considered the founder of the Umbanda Branca
Umbanda
Umbanda is an Afro-Brazilian religion that blends African religions with Catholicism, Spiritism and Kardecism, and considerable indigenous lore....
sect.
He was born on 10 April 1891 in São Gonçalo
São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro
São Gonçalo is a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. It is located at 22 ° 49'37 "south latitude and 43 º 03'14" west longitude at an altitude of 19 meters. Its population in 2008 is 982,832 inhabitants, being the second most populous city in the state after the capital...
. At the age of 17, Zélio joined the Brazilian Navy. He was hospitalized with paralysis
Paralysis
Paralysis is loss of muscle function for one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor. A study conducted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, suggests that about 1 in 50 people have been diagnosed...
, but claimed to have been miraculously healed. This led to contacts with Brazilian spiritism
Spiritism
Spiritism is a loose corpus of religious faiths having in common the general belief in the survival of a spirit after death. In a stricter sense, it is the religion, beliefs and practices of the people affiliated to the International Spiritist Union, based on the works of Allan Kardec and others...
movements, and he became spokesman for a spirit entity named "Caboclo das Sete Encruzilhadas." He later claimed to be in contact with other entities, including one named "Father Antônio."
Between 1918 and 1935, Zélio organized various temples/centers for Umbanda. In 1939, the Spiritist Union of Umbanda in Brazil (União Espiritista de Umbanda do Brasil, or UEUB) was formed to oversee the centers. Zélio continued to actively run the organization until his death at age 84.