Brazil’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue locked in battle between church and state

Towering atop Corcovado, Christ the Redeemer is more than just a religious symbol or tourist attraction, it is an everlasting symbol of Brazilian identity. Known to Brazilians as Christ the Redeemer, it is a postcard not only for the city of Rio de Janeiro, but for the entire country.

With its 92-foot-long arms spread out, the statue appears to personally welcome the more than 4 million tourists who make the trek to visit the monument each year. But now its management and future are at the center of a growing debate over religion, conservation and governance.

In October, a bill was introduced proposing to transfer management of the land where the statue sits from federal custody to the Catholic Church. Supporters believe the church’s administration would solve long-standing infrastructure and accessibility problems. Critics, however, see the move as a threat to Brazil’s secular state and its environmental commitments.

a monument in the forest

Built in 1922 this The Christ the Redeemer statue in the Catholic Church is located in Tijuca National Park, a 3,953-hectare restored Atlantic forest that is believed to be the world’s earliest large park in 1861, more than a decade after Yellowstone was established. One of the large-scale reforestation projects.

To mitigate the effects of deforestation caused by coffee plantations, Brazil’s then-emperors established national parks to protect ecologically important ecosystems and provide refuge for biodiversity. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012 and today is home to 1,619 plant species and 328 animal species, many of which are endangered.

“This park is more than just a backdrop for the Redeemer,” said Mauro Pires, president of ICMBio, Brazil’s national park and conservation unit agency. “This is a vital ecosystem that supports local wildlife and plays a role in regulating Rio’s climate and water supply.”

The park’s attractions include panoramic views of the city, Guanabara Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, waterfalls and historic sites. It attracts tourists and locals who come to enjoy Rio de Janeiro’s natural beauty by hiking, biking or taking guided tours.

However, the balance between tourism and conservation is delicate, especially in a high-traffic area like Corcovado.

Agreement between Church and State

The bill proposes to carve Christian Church and the surrounding area out of Tijuca National Park, making it a separate part managed by the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro. The church has sole responsibility for the area and so must undertake any necessary renovations, but can also start collecting ticket sales.

The current arrangement separates the responsibilities of the church and the federal government. Although located on federal land, the archdiocese has special authority to conduct services at the statue and adjoining chapel at any time and is responsible for their maintenance, but not for its surrounding infrastructure.

The federal government oversees the entire park and its infrastructure, including roads, transportation, bathrooms, escalators and statue admissions. A portion of ticket sales and concessions are paid to the church, which will reach $1.78 million in 2023, according to a park spokesman.

Until now, the site has served as a religious destination among secular sites. As long as the public still has access to the park during visiting hours, masses, baptisms and weddings can be celebrated at the feet of Christ.

On the other hand, churches and supporters of the bill say more should be done to capitalize on the monument’s reputation. “If a Brazilian brand wants to take our bathrooms and renovate them and put their name on them, why can’t they do that?” Claudine Milion Dutra, legal coordinator for the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro (Claudine Milione Dutra) asked.

Dutra believes the federal bureaucracy also stands in the way of some of the needs the park is currently responsible for meeting. When introducing the bill in October, lawmakers described times when escalators, bathrooms and water fountains were out of order for months.

“We cannot accept that Christ the Redeemer, Brazil’s most famous international icon, remains neglected,” said the bill’s author, Senator Carlos Portinho, as he introduced the bill in the Senate. “The church has historically taken care of this statue and are best equipped to manage it effectively.”

Pires, the director of the National Park Service, acknowledged the need for restoration but said privatization was not the answer. Pires said national park budgets were cut under former President Jair Bolsonaro and only now are funds coming back. Many necessary renovations in Tijuca and other national parks cannot be carried out for this simple reason.

But through 2025, the agency has earmarked $12 million for renovations to Corcovado’s summit, including repairs to the statue’s foundation.

‘A dangerous precedent’

Under the proposed legislation, the church would be given control of the statue and its surrounding area and its infrastructure, separate from the national park. Although the area is less than 0.02% of the park’s total area, the national park agency warned the proposal could set a dangerous precedent.

“It’s not just about the Redeemer; it’s also about the Redeemer. It’s about the integrity of all protected areas in Brazil,” Pires explained. “Setting aside portions of national parks for private management could undo decades of progress in environmental protection.”

The park’s fragile ecosystem includes species such as the tufted capuchin monkey and the Brazilian ring-tailed coati. Tapirs and jaguars also once roamed the park, but have since become extinct from the park. Increased noise, pollution and construction may destroy these habitats.

But Dutra dismissed those concerns, claiming the church also had an interest in conservation. “We have responsibly maintained the statue and its surroundings. Our goal is to enhance the visitor experience, not harm the environment,” she said.

At the heart of the debate is more than just land use or conservation. Brazil’s secular constitution prohibits the government from favoring religious institutions, but Christ the Redeemer pushes the discussion into a distinct gray area, raising questions about how Brazil balances its Catholic roots with its secular and environmental commitments.

The bill, co-sponsored by Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the former president’s son, has passed the Senate and is being weighed by a tourism subcommittee. If approved, the bill will be submitted to Brazil’s House of Representatives for consideration.

The bill has passed the Senate and is being weighed by a travel subcommittee. If approved there, it would go to Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies, which would decide whether Christ the Redeemer’s future belongs to church or state — or some kind of reimagined collaboration.

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