Bishop Valente Bizerra Luís was elected leader of the IURD in Angola and said that "the new leadership of the church will deepen the implementation of social programs for the benefit of communities, specifically education, academic and professional training".
The legitimacy of this general assembly is, however, challenged by IURD Angola, from which the dissenting and now legitimated wing emerged, and which brought a precautionary measure to halt the Reform Commission meeting scheduled for 13 February.
According to IURD, the leadership of the church originally created in Brazil is represented in the country by Angolan António Miguel Ferraz, as vice president of the board of directors.
Cited by Angop, the new leader of IURD Angola said that the turbulent days, which he hopes to be overcome with the election of the members of the new leadership, should serve, on the one hand, as a motivation for reconciliation between the children of Universal, and, for on the other hand, continue with the church reform process.
Since September 2020, the heritage of IURD Angola has been under the management of the National Institute for Religious Affairs (INAR), due to the misunderstanding between Angolan and Brazilian pastors, who are accused by the former of money laundering, tax fraud and criminal association. .
The Brazilian representation of the IURD countered and also advanced legal proceedings against Angolan dissidents.
The crisis at the IURD in Angola results from differences between Angolan and Brazilian pastors and bishops over the management of that institution and complaints of humiliation, discrimination and economic crimes.
After months of internal conflicts and upheavals, the IURD in Angola split up, with the dissident (Angolan) wing creating a Reform Commission, in disagreement with the Brazilian leadership, which now says it is legitimized in a new Angolan IURD.
The Attorney General of the Republic of Angola apprehended and ordered the closure of IURD cathedrals in several provinces last year for the alleged practice of crimes of criminal association, tax fraud, illicit export of capital and other illicit acts of a similar nature, following the dispute between dissidents from the Angolan wing and the Brazilian pastors of the church founded by Edir Macedo.
