Several Women Accuse "Message" Pastor of Sexual Abuse

On March 4, 2021, Brazil news media (TV Bandeirantes) broadcast an investigative report looking into allegations of abuse in a local cult church.  Apparently, several women have now stepped forward accusing William Branham "Message" Joaquim Gonçalves of sexual abuse and misconduct.  Some of the women bravely presented their statements, careful not to identify themselves for fear of retaliation.  Message cult pastors in the area, however, refused to comment.  According to the news report, cult leaders were aware that Gonçalves was a sexual predator.  The case has turned into a criminal investigation.

Gonçalves claims to have been introduced to William Branham's cult doctrine in 1968 through William Branham's "Seven Church Ages" and "20th Century Prophet" booklets printed by Spoken Word (now Voice of God Recordings).  After his indoctrination, he began promoting Branham's teachings on the radio and built quite a following throughout Brazil.  This transitioned into a powerful force for the cult as Gonçalves built a small army of converts who translated Branham's sermons into Portuguese and spread the "Message" of William Branham in Brazil.  

One of his alleged victims stated that she was attacked during a time that she was most vulnerable, during a marriage crisis and separation from her husband.  In the pastoral office, Gonçalves allegedly began fondling her.

[From translated account of new broadcast] "He started running his hand through my hair, then he put me in front of him and ran his hand over my breasts.” The woman claimed that Pastor Joaquim told her: "Whenever you want, please go to my office because I can help you, with any help."  During that time she was depressed.  She said, "He always praises me and always asks me to come to his office".   She stated that while in the Pastoral office, he told her that she was very beautiful and did not need to work because the church would look after her.

One of his alleged victims was a 17-year-old girl.  According to her, Gonçalves chose her for a leadership position and began his attacks.  

[From translated account of new broadcast] The pastor asked me to be a choir conductor and he started the harassment by saying that I was beautiful, that he was losing sleep, then he started inviting me to his office. At the office, it started with a simple chat. Then it changed. And afterward he started with the compliments.”

Others describe Gonçalves touching their genitals.  One woman described Gonçalves sexually abusing her each night of religious camps.

[From translated account of new broadcast]  The woman says that she was victimized every night when someone brought her to Pastor Joaquim in the camp. The woman keeps saying that each night she was abused. One of the victims says that he hugs a victim, and rubs his body against them while trying to kiss them. She also claimed that he tried to get her hands on his genitals.

As women began to come forward accusing Gonçalves of sexual abuse, others found the courage to do the same.   

[From translated account of new broadcast] One victim says she found a father figure with the religious leader. A protector, a father. But when he tried to run his hand over her breasts it made her deeply sad. She said she had not talked about her abuse before for fear that they would not believe her because she was a woman. She said she only spoke now because there are other victims and now she is not alone in speaking.

The case has been submitted to the Civil Police, DEAM (Specialized Police Station for Assistance to Women) and has turned into a criminal investigation.

More Information:

Branham Cult Pastor's Website (In Chrome, right-click on the page and translate to your language)

http://tabernaculodafe.org.br/historico.php 

News Broadcast from Brazil (Translated Below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPVvH0NE3NE 

Similar stories of abuse and sexual misconduct by women in Branham's "Message" cult:

https://castingpearlsproject.com/ 

Entire Translated Report:

On 03/04/2021, an article was published on TV Bandeirantes de GOIÁS about Pastor Joaquim Gonçalves.

The Journalist opened article stating that a religious leader abused several women. The reporter goes on to describe: the 38-year-old woman, who for fear does not want to identify herself. The unidentified woman said that at the time her marriage was going through a crisis and was separating from her husband. She says she was in the pastoral office when the alleged abuses occurred.

She describes it like this ”he started running his hand through my hair, then he put me in front of him and ran his hand over my breasts.” The woman claimed that Pastor Joaquim told her: whenever you want, please go to my office because I can help you, with any help.

During that time she was depressed. She said "He always praises me and always asks me to come to his office". She stated that while in the Pastoral office, he told her that she was very beautiful and did not need to work, because the church would look after her.

The reporter says that this is not the last complaint against the same man. The reporter says he heard other reports, including another victim who claimed to have been harassed 17 years ago. The 17-year-old victim said “The pastor asked me to be a choir conductor and he started the harassment by saying that I was beautiful, that he was losing sleep, then he started inviting me to his office. At the office it started with a simple chat. Then it changed. And afterwards he started with the compliments.” 

The reporter claims that there was also abuse in the camps, that Pastor Joaquim allegedly practiced the same actions with the others. The woman says that she was victimized every night when someone brought her to Pastor Joaquim in the camp. The woman keeps saying that each night she was abused. One of the victims says that he hugs a victim, and rubs his body against them while trying to kiss them. She also claimed that he tried to get her hands on his genitals. She was very scared.

The reporter claimed that the alleged stories were all similar and happened in the same way. Reporter Pastor Joaquim attracts his victims. The reporter stated that he noticed the pattern: Always during a pastoral conversation with the victims, Pastor Joaquim allegedly repeatedly took advantage of these women in a moment of fragility and vulnerability.

One victim says she found a father figure with the religious leader. A protector, a father. But when he tried to run his hand over her breasts it made her deeply sad. She said she had not talked about her abuse before for fear that they would not believe her because she was a woman. She said she only spoke now because there are other victims and now she is not alone in speaking.

Women who claim to have been abused now denounce pastor Joaquim Gonsalves, 84. He founded the church of Tabernáculo da Fé in Goiás in 1968.

Another message pastor claimed to have already known about the harassment. The reporter tried to locate this pastor to hear his version of the facts, however, he was unable to reach him for a comment.

At the Tabernáculo da fé church, located in Goiás, the reporter was also prevented from entering the church and talking to pastor Joaquim Gonsalves.

The reporter tried to reach the church's legal department, however, they were unable to provide any information. The case is already with the Civil Police, DEAM = Specialized Police Station for Assistance to Women. The reporter says this case has already turned into a criminal investigation.

The victims' lawyer says he may have harassed other women. Lawyer says “our appeal is that if you are a victim of this pastor Joaquim or other pastors, other religious leaders, you need to go to the police. There is a deadline for this because the crime may expire”. The Lawyer also says that a state public hearing of GOIÁS will be scheduled for the Agency to take cognizance of the cases.

The report was made by: Lucas Santana, Domingos Salvios and Divino Rufino.