Latin American Episcopal Conference
Encyclopedia
The Consejo Episcopal Latinoamericano (Latin American Episcopal Conference), also known as CELAM, is a conference
of the Roman Catholic
bishops
of Latin America
, created in 1955 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
.
Based in Bogotá
(Colombia
), CELAM pushed the Second Vatican Council
(1962-65) toward a more progressive stance. During the four next years, CELAM prepared 1968 Medellín Conference, in Colombia, officially supporting "base ecclesiastic communities" and the Liberation theology
propounded by Gustavo Gutiérrez
in his 1972 essay, A Theology of Liberation: History, Politics and Salvation.
CELAM support to Liberation theology was frowned on by the Vatican
, Pope Paul VI
trying to slow the movement after the 1962-1965 Council. Cardinal Antonio Samoré, in charge of relations between the Roman Curia
and the CELAM as the leader of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America
, was ordered to put a term to this orientation.
With Alfonso López Trujillo
's election in 1972 as general secretary of CELAM, conservatives gained control of this organization as well as of the Roman Curia. Considered a papabile
at the 2005 Papal conclave, López Trujillo stayed CELAM's general secretary until 1984.
However, at the 1979 CELAM's Conference of Puebla, conservative reorientation of the CELAM was met by strong opposition from the progressive part of the clergy, which defined the concept of a "preferiential option for the poor". But with the election of Pope John Paul II
, conservatives took control of both the Roman Curia
and the CELAM. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI
, was charged of bringing back the Vatican's authority in the Third World
. In 1984 and 1986, the Vatican condemned twice Liberation theology, accusing it of Marxist influence.
In his travel in Managua
, Nicaragua, John Paul II harshly condemned what he dubbed the "popular Church" (i.e. "base ecclesiastic communities" supported by the CELAM) and, against Nicaraguan clergy tendencies to support the Sandinistas, insisting on the Vatican's sole and only authority.
Cardinal Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga (Archbishop of Tegucigalpa
) was CELAM's general secretary from 1995 to 1999, and Cardinal Luis Aponte Martínez
(Archbishop of San Juan) also has been one.
Episcopal Conference
In the Roman Catholic Church, an Episcopal Conference, Conference of Bishops, or National Conference of Bishops is an official assembly of all the bishops of a given territory...
of the Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
bishops
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
of Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
, created in 1955 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
.
Based in Bogotá
Bogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
(Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
), CELAM pushed the Second Vatican Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
(1962-65) toward a more progressive stance. During the four next years, CELAM prepared 1968 Medellín Conference, in Colombia, officially supporting "base ecclesiastic communities" and the Liberation theology
Liberation theology
Liberation theology is a Christian movement in political theology which interprets the teachings of Jesus Christ in terms of a liberation from unjust economic, political, or social conditions...
propounded by Gustavo Gutiérrez
Gustavo Gutiérrez
Gustavo Gutiérrez Merino, O.P., is a Peruvian theologian and Dominican priest regarded as the founder of Liberation Theology...
in his 1972 essay, A Theology of Liberation: History, Politics and Salvation.
CELAM support to Liberation theology was frowned on by the Vatican
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
, Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
trying to slow the movement after the 1962-1965 Council. Cardinal Antonio Samoré, in charge of relations between the Roman Curia
Roman Curia
The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church, together with the Pope...
and the CELAM as the leader of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America
Pontifical Commission for Latin America
The Pontifical Commission for Latin America is a department of the Roman Curia. Established by Pope Pius XII on 19 April, 1958, it is charged with providing assistance to and examining matters pertaining to the Church in Latin America...
, was ordered to put a term to this orientation.
With Alfonso López Trujillo
Alfonso López Trujillo
Alfonso López Trujillo was a Colombian Cardinal Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church and president of the Pontifical Council for the Family.-Youth:...
's election in 1972 as general secretary of CELAM, conservatives gained control of this organization as well as of the Roman Curia. Considered a papabile
Papabile
Papabile is an unofficial Italian term first coined by Vaticanologists and now used internationally in many languages to describe a cardinal of whom it is thought likely or possible that he will be elected pope. A literal English translation would be "popeable" or "one who might become pope".In...
at the 2005 Papal conclave, López Trujillo stayed CELAM's general secretary until 1984.
However, at the 1979 CELAM's Conference of Puebla, conservative reorientation of the CELAM was met by strong opposition from the progressive part of the clergy, which defined the concept of a "preferiential option for the poor". But with the election of Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
, conservatives took control of both the Roman Curia
Roman Curia
The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church, together with the Pope...
and the CELAM. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
, was charged of bringing back the Vatican's authority in the Third World
Third World
The term Third World arose during the Cold War to define countries that remained non-aligned with either capitalism and NATO , or communism and the Soviet Union...
. In 1984 and 1986, the Vatican condemned twice Liberation theology, accusing it of Marxist influence.
In his travel in Managua
Managua
Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name. It is the largest city in Nicaragua in terms of population and geographic size. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Xolotlán or Lake Managua, the city was declared the national capital in...
, Nicaragua, John Paul II harshly condemned what he dubbed the "popular Church" (i.e. "base ecclesiastic communities" supported by the CELAM) and, against Nicaraguan clergy tendencies to support the Sandinistas, insisting on the Vatican's sole and only authority.
Cardinal Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga (Archbishop of Tegucigalpa
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tegucigalpa
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tegucigalpa is a metropolitan see in Honduras. It was elevated as the Archdiocese of Tegucigalpa on 2 February 1916.-Ordinaries:*Alfonso de Talavera, O.S.H....
) was CELAM's general secretary from 1995 to 1999, and Cardinal Luis Aponte Martínez
Luis Aponte Martínez
Luis Aponte Martínez is the only Puerto Rican ever to be consecrated a cardinal of the Catholic Church, and for 34 years was the Archbishop of San Juan. Cardinal Aponte was a cardinal elector in the two conclaves of 1978....
(Archbishop of San Juan) also has been one.
Present Prelates
- President: Archbishop
ArchbishopAn archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Carlos Aguiar Retes (2011 - 2015), Metropolitan Archbishop of TlalnepantlaRoman Catholic Archdiocese of TlalnepantlaThe Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tlalnepantla is a Metropolitan Archdiocese in Mexico. Based in Tlalnepantla, México state, It is responsible for the suffragan dioceses of Cuautitlán, Ecatepec, Netzahualcóyotl, Texcoco, and Valle de Chalco...
, MexicoMexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... - First Vice-President: Archbishop
ArchbishopAn archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Jesús Rubén Salazar Gómez (2011 - 2015), Metropolitan Archbishop of BogotáRoman Catholic Archdiocese of BogotáThe Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bogotá is part of the Roman Catholic Church in Colombia. It was founded as the Diocese of Santafé en Nueva Granada on 11 September 1562...
, ColombiaColombiaColombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the... - Second Vice-President: Archbishop
ArchbishopAn archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Dimas Lara Barbosa (2011 – 2015), Metropolitan Archbishop of Campo GrandeRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Campo GrandeThe Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Campo Grande is an archdiocese located in the city of Campo Grande in Brazil.-History:* June 15, 1957: Established as Diocese of Campo Grande from the Diocese of Corumbá and Territorial Prelature of Registro do Araguaia...
, BrazilBrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people... - General Secretary: Bishop
BishopA bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
Santiago Silva Retamales (2011 - 2015), Auxiliary Bishop of ValparaísoRoman Catholic Diocese of ValparaísoThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Valparaíso is a diocese located in the city of Valparaíso in the Ecclesiastical province of Santiago de Chile in Chile.-History:...
, ChileChileChile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...