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[German Version] (CNBB; National Conference of Brazilian Bishops) was established in Rio de Janeiro on Oct 14, 1952 to promote the unity of the Catholic episcopacy, to coordinate the pastoral activity of the 115 dioceses and prelatures, and to nurture relations between the Brazilian church (Brazil) and the Holy See, other bishops' conferences, and the organs of the state. The founder and first General Secretary (1952–1964) was the auxiliary bishop of Rio de Jane…

[German Version] The term mulatto denotes a person with one white parent and one black parent as well as the more or less dark skin generally typical of mestizos. English also uses it more generally for a person of mixed racial ancestry. In some cultures and languages, mulatto can refer to someone who is clever and resourceful. The term often carries racist and pejorative connotations and is therefore avoided by the black movement in Latin America, especially in Brazil. José Oscar Beozzo

[German Version] The first general Latin American and Caribbean Bishops’ Conference was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from Jul 25 to Aug 4, 1955, following the 36th International Eucharistic Congress. It was convened by Pius XII, led by Cardinal Adeodato Giovanni Piazza, and attended by 106 participants from 22 countries. They worked in seven commissions: 1. Clergy; 2. Clergy helpers (laity); 3.Organization and resources of the apostolic office, with press and radio subcommission; 4. Protestantis…

[German Version] In Brazil, a quilombo (from Angolan quimbundo, “assemblage, fortified camp, settlement”) was a fortified settlement of fugitive slaves, in which aboriginals and socially disadvantaged whites sometimes also sought refuge. During the era of slavery (1532–1888), there were hundreds of quilombos. The most famous, Palmares (1602–1695), was leveled after long resistance and its leader Zumbi beheaded on Nov 20, 1695. That date became the symbol of resistance for the black (and today Afro-Brazi…

[German Version] A term for persons whose parents belong to different racial groups. Historically speaking, the Mestizos originated in the Spanish territories of America from sexual relations between Spanish men and women belonging to the conquered indigenous population. In the English, Dutch, and French Caribbean, however, Mestizos originated from relations between Europeans and black women slaves, and in Brazil from the relationships between Portuguese men and Indian women or, more frequently, A…

[German Version] The fourth Latin American Bishops’ Conference met in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) from Oct 12 to Oct 28, 1992, observing the cinquecentennial of Columbus’s arrival. About 360 delegates took part in the conference, whose theme was “New Evangelization, Human Promotion, Christian Culture – Jesus Christ Yesterday, Today, and Forever.” To prepare for the conference, “Elements for Pastoral Reflection in Preparation for the Fourth Latin American Bishops’ Conference” was distributed in 1990. The final document, Santo Domingo: Conclusões, called for a new ev…

1. Origin The idea of founding the Consejo Episcopal Latinoamericano (CELAM, or Latin American Council of Bishops) was proposed at the first General Conference of Latin American Bishops, held at Rio de Janeiro, July/August 1955. Leading concerns of the Roman Catholic Church that led to the founding were the shortage of priests and the need to take steps against “the Protestant threat.” On September 24, 1955, Pope Pius XII (1939–58) founded CELAM for the purpose of coordinating the various bishops’…