<b>State, church and education in Brazil during the first decades of the republic: intellectuals, religious figures and missionaries in the reconquest of the catholic faith</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascieduc.v32i1.9483

Abstract

In previous works, we addressed the relationship between Church, State and Education in Brazil, focusing on the Catholic Church, who settled here since the colonial period with primary schools, colleges and missions. With the Marquis of Pombal and the expulsion of the Jesuits, this Church gradually lost power. It was almost silenced during the Imperial period, finally to re-emerge starting with the proclamation of the Republic, and to revive during the first three decades of the twentieth century. In this battle, the Church was supported by some Catholic intellectuals, who participated actively in the renewal. In addition to these intellectuals, the Church also counted on the missionary and educational work of bishops and regular religious figures, who educated, evangelized and assisted people in their spiritual and material difficulties. At the same time, they were silent on conflicts between the oppressed population and the State, especially in Brazil's most impoverished regions. It is worth discussing the role of intellectuals and religious figures, and question to what extent their influence pointed to social change or confirmed an attitude of submission to order, authority and social stability.