Nightclub Owner Sues Universal Church Over Alleged Divine Intervention in Fire Damage

Mrs. Tarcília Bezerra, owner of a nightclub in Aquiraz, Ceará, Brazil, sought to expand her business after implementing unemployment insurance for fishermen and various grants. The expansion gained momentum until a week before the planned reopening, when a lightning bolt struck the nightclub, igniting electrical installations and causing a fire that destroyed the roof and much of the construction.

In response to the expansion, the local Universal Church of the Kingdom of God launched a strong campaign to prevent it, holding prayers in the church throughout the day. The pastor and congregation later claimed that their prayers had “great power,” following the incident.

Tarcília filed a lawsuit against the Church, the pastor, and the congregation, alleging that they were responsible for the destruction of her building and business through “direct or indirect use of divine intervention.” The lawsuit claims the Church’s actions led to the fire.

The Church denied any responsibility or connection to the damage, maintaining that their prayers were not a factor in the incident. The case was submitted to a judge who expressed uncertainty about how to proceed, noting the contradiction between the nightclub owner’s belief in prayer and the Church’s assertion that their prayers were ineffective.

The judge remarked during the initial trial hearing that the situation highlighted a conflict between the owner’s faith in prayer and the Church’s claim that their prayers held no power. The case continues as the court seeks to determine the legal implications of the alleged connection between the Church’s actions and the fire.

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