Women accuse Brazilian spiritual healer once featured on Oprah of sexual abuse

Breaking News Emails

Get breaking news alerts and special reports. The news and stories that matter, delivered weekday mornings.

Dec. 10, 2018 / 4:42 PM GMT

By The Associated Press

RIO DE JANEIRO — Ten women in Brazil have accused a self-styled spiritual healer of sexually abusing them at a clinic in the central-western state of Goias.

The accusations against Joao Teixeira de Faria, known as John of God, were made Saturday night on the Globo TV network.

Medium Joao Teixeira de Faria, called Joao de Deus, or “John of God,” center, speaks to members of the “Casa de Dom Inacio de Loyola” in Abadiania, in the state of Goias, Brazil on March 2, 2012.Eraldo Peres / AP file

It was not immediately clear if Farias was being investigated by prosecutors.

In a statement to the G1 news portal, Faria’s press office said: “John of God vehemently denies having committed any inappropriate behavior during his treatments.”

Faria’s faith-based healing skills drew the attention of TV host Oprah Winfrey, who said on her website that she interviewed him at his clinic in 2013 and saw him performing psychic surgeries.

Faria’s website says he has treated former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Brazil’s ex-President Luiz Inacio da Silva.

The Associated Press