Church and racism in Brazil: perspectives for an anti-racist ecclesial conscience and practice

perspectivas para uma consciência e prática eclesial antirracista

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7213/2175-1838.17.002.AO04

Keywords:

Racismo, Negro, Igreja, Consciência, Libertação

Abstract

This article, entitled Church and Racism in Brazil: Perspectives for an Anti-Racist Ecclesial Consciousness and Practice, aims to reflect on the relationship between the Church and black people in the historical context of Brazil, offering clues for an anti-racist ecclesial conscience and action. Racism is a reality that persists in the country and is anchored in the slave regime. It also affects the ecclesiastical sphere, hence the need to understand its dynamics in order to provide relevant responses, in the light of faith. In the first part, the text deals with the itinerary of racism in Brazil throughout history, from the concept of scientific racism to the understanding of structural racism; in the second part, it portrays the relationship between the Church and black people, showing the distances – the theology that justifies slavery and the silence in the face of racism – and proximities; finally, it addresses the mission of the Church, and the process of assuming an anti-racist ecclesial conscience, which permeates the option for the poor. The research uses Liberation Theology and Black Theology as references, establishing a dialogue with the disciplines of history and sociology. The theme is current and pertinent, portraying from the perspective of the Church and theology, the social evil of racism, which impacts the lives of millions of Brazilians who cry out for justice and liberation.

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Author Biographies

Edison Hüttner, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS)

Doutor em Teologia pela Pontifícia Universidade Gregoriana (PUG, Itália). Professor Adjunto da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS).

Tiago da Silva, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS)

Doutorando em Teologia pela Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS).

Published

2025-08-27

How to Cite

Hüttner, E., & Silva, T. da. (2025). Church and racism in Brazil: perspectives for an anti-racist ecclesial conscience and practice: perspectivas para uma consciência e prática eclesial antirracista. Pistis Praxis, 17(2), 342–353. https://doi.org/10.7213/2175-1838.17.002.AO04