From political society to civil society: the public presence of the brazilian Catholic Church in a context of political instability (1952-2004)

Abstract

This article aims to unmask the modus operandi of the Catholic Church vis-à-vis the political establishment and civil society, in the context of the breakdown and subsequent restoration of democracy. A brief review of the key factors that defined the historical relationship between the Catholic Church and the political establishment will provide us with a solid basis for elucidating a new modality of the Church’s public presence. The first signs of this new modality appeared at the formation of the Episcopal Conference in 1952, but it took concrete shape during the course of the military process begun in 1964. Meanwhile, the theological and pastoral guidelines defined by John Paul II have put into question marks the continuity of that modality of Church’s public presence.