Oprah Winfrey has built her reputation as a woman who empowers and empathizes with other women. However, even with all the good she’s done, she hasn’t always been able to avoid scandal. In a case that began in 2018, João Teixeira de Faria, or John of God as he’s called by many, was called out by several women for sexual assault. Now, almost a decade later, he’s received a new 99-year prison sentence, according to Agencia Brasil. Due to previous sentences, this brings Faria’s total prison time to 370 years, nine months, and 15 days, according to Metropoles.
João Teixeira de Faria Faces Damaging Accusations
In December of 2018, he was forced to resign, ultimately turning himself into authorities. “I surrender to divine justice and justice on Earth,” he said, despite earlier protests of innocence to his followers. With this being the second figure accused of sexual abuse with whom Oprah had been associated, things didn’t look good for a woman who’s made her whole career out of claiming to empower women. However, just as she had in regard to the Epstein case, Oprah denied any involvement. Six days after João Teixeira de Faria turned himself in, Oprah said, “I empathize with the women now coming forward and hope justice is served.”
João Teixeira de Faria is Sentenced
Within a week of turning himself, more than 300 women came forward to share their own stories. All accused John of God of sexually assaulting them while he falsely claimed to “transfer cleansing energy” to them. He was convicted by Judge Marcos Boechat Lopes Filho in Brazil and ordered to serve a minimum of 19 years, ultimately found guilty of raping 4 of the more than 300 women he’d assaulted during sessions.
João Teixeira de Faria now has more than 600 claims against him, including girls, and women, and running a “baby trafficking operation where newborn children were sold to childless couples.” According to Ben Swann, founder and current CEO of Sovren Media.
Oprah’s spiritual healer has been sentenced to 99 years in prison after being found guilty of raping and abusing over 600 women and young girls.
— Ben Swann (@BenSwann_) July 13, 2023
João de Deus, or “John of God,” also ran a baby trafficking operation where newborn children were sold to childless couples.
Young… pic.twitter.com/ACYJf8oX6K
Meanwhile, activist Sabrina Bittencourt, who took part in the investigation, explained that João Teixeira de Faria, otherwise known as John of God, kept young girls captive, forcing them to have babies that were then sold to couples internationally. “Hundreds of girls were enslaved over years, lived on farms in Goias, served as wombs to get pregnant, for their babies to be sold,” she explained. “These girls were murdered after ten years of giving birth. We have got a number of testimonies.”
Long before his crimes were brought to light, João Teixeira de Faria had built his reputation by allegedly healing, hundreds of thousands of people.
Read: Jim Caviezel Thanks Supporters For ‘Not Letting The Media Silence’ ‘Sound Of Freedom’
João Teixeira de Faria a Renowned Healer
In 2010, João Teixeira de Faria was mentioned by the one and only Oprah Winfrey. She introduced him in a video that has since been removed from YouTube. In the video she said, “People around the world credit John of God (João Teixeira de Faria). And the spirits that work through him for many miraculous healings. He has also been misunderstood by some, persecuted by others and even accused of impropriety.” Although John of God made international fame, thanks to the renowned OW Empire, it wasn’t until 2013 that they did an interview together. Oprah visited his center and interviewed some of his followers as well.
João Teixeira de Faria’s fame further expanded. The non-medical faith healer now has more than four decades of experience of allegedly “curing diseases and ailments through psychic surgeries.” At the height of his career, João Teixeira de Faria saw anywhere from 3000-5000 people, weekly, from all over the world who sought his healing or guidance.
Celebrity Endorsements
Sadly, Oprah isn’t the only name that may have been severely tarnished by the case of João Teixeira de Faria; other well-known figures like Naomi Campbell, former President Clinton, and Shirley MacLaine, and former President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have also given him support or praise over the years. However, in part, being associated with such well-known names likely is one of the reasons that the case involving João Teixeira de Faria has gotten so much attention over the years. While it’s unfortunate that so many women and younger girls have fallen victim to the alleged healer, it’s fortunate that it’s gotten enough attention to encourage his victims to come forward with the truth and expose people who often cause inexplicable damage by leading others to believe they’re something that they’re not.
The most recent update in the João Teixeira de Faria case is his new 99-year sentence. That, coupled with his previous sentences comes out to a total of 370 years, 9 months, and 15 days.
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Sources
- “João de Deus é condenado a mais 100 anos por crimes sexuais” Metropoles Laura Braga July 10, 2023.
- “Brazilian healer accused of sexually abusing more than 300 women.” CNN. Jackie Castillo and Amir Vera. December 17, 2018.
- “Oprah’s faith healer get 99 years for raping 8 girls and women: allegedly 600 more victims. American Military News. Timothy Frudd. July 14, 2023.
- “A Brazilian Celebrity Faith Healer Accused of Sexual Abuse Has Turned Himself in to Authorities.” Time. Suyin Haynes. December 17, 2018.
- Em novas sentenças, João de Deus é condenado a 99 anos de prisão Agencia Brasil Ritcher, Andre.
- “An Oprah Winfrey Scandal Timeline: It’s Not The First Time She’s Weathered A Storm Like This.” News Week. Jorge Solis. March 18, 2020.