POLITICAL “MODERNIZATION” OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN BRAZIL (1850-1930): AN APPROACH BASED ON THE “THEORY OF COMMUNICATIVE ACTION”

Abstract

In this article, we present the itinerary of political “modernization” that was followed by the Catholic Church in Brazil, especially the brazilian episcopate, from the second half of the nineteenth century until the end of the First Republic (1930), based on a “communicative learning process” which he obtained in the resolution of the “morally relevant conflicts of action” in his relationship with the State. The entire Brazilian episcopate, over a period of 80 years (1850-1930), liberalizating “communicative resources”, underwent a profound renewal of its social principles of organization. This was done when the bishops assumed collegiality as this “principle of organization”. In order to achieve this, it was necessary to have a communicative learning process.