Zélio Fernandino de Moraes

Who was Zélio Fernandino de Moraes?

Zélio Fernandino de Moraes was a Brazilian medium who is considered the founder of the Umbanda Branca religion.

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 was formed to oversee the centers. Zélio continued to actively run the organization until his death at age 84.