Do ecumenismo libertador à libertação ecumênica: uma análise do Centro Ecumênico de Documentação e Informação (1974-1994)

Abstract

This essay aims to analyze the movement of theological renewal that gave rise, in 1974, to the Ecumenical Centre for Documentation and Information (CEDI). From the context of the development of Latin-American and Brazilian ecumenical reflection, led by sectors of historical Protestantism of mission, this paper discusses the reasons that gave rise to a new Protestant theological language in Latin America, responsible for driving sectors of Protestantism to the assertion of an alternative political-religious project, facing the liberating task of humanization of life. In this analytical task, special attention is given to Richard Shaull’s theology. This theological language, built from the contextualization of discussions around the theme of social responsibility promoted by the World Council of Churches (WCC), led to a new form of relationship between religion and society, faith and politics. The history of CEDI, a direct consequence of this movement of theological renewal, represents a broad ecumenical praxis, committed to the challenges of society and to the task of building democracy in Brazil. This research, drawing on its history, constitutes an analysis of Brazilian ecumenical praxis and of theological elements that underlie it.