Farewell to Don Pedro Casaldáliga Plá
On August 8, Latin America and the Brazilian Catholic Church bid farewell to Dom Pedro Casaldáliga Plá, Bishop Emeritus of the Prelature of São Félix do Araguaia, in central-western Brazil. CLACSO Working Group on Religion, Neoliberalism and Post/DecolonialityThe group, formed by social scientists and theologians from 12 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, created in November 2019 to comparatively study the relationship between religion and neoliberalism in Latin America and the Caribbean, based on dialogue with critical theoretical perspectives informed by postcolonial and decolonial theories, honors Dom Pedro for his long career of dedication to the causes of the impoverished, vulnerable and discriminated sectors of Latin American societies, particularly Brazilian, and the struggles for human rights of indigenous peoples and workers.
The example of faith, steadfastness, courage, consistency, and commitment of Dom Pedro will forever be etched in the history of popular struggles on the continent and will serve as an inspiration to people of faith and non-faith, academics and social activists alike. Dom Pedro was a staunch critic of authoritarianism and capitalist exploitation, honing his reflections and public stances with the tools of liberation theology and poetic sensibility to promote solidarity, justice, and hope. A citizen of the world, Dom Pedro, a Catalan by birth and a Claretian missionary, arrived in Brazil in 1968, settling in Mato Grosso, an area of agricultural expansion already characterized by vast estates and widespread poverty, violence, and discrimination. In 1971, he became bishop of the Prelature of São Félix do Araguaia and was one of the driving forces behind the Indigenous Missionary Council, founded in 1972 under his inspiration.
By tracing the themes and issues that Dom Pedro addressed over decades, we recognize the practical, theological, and literary contribution he bequeathed to so many people striving to understand and confront the impact of economic, social, and cultural inequalities in Latin American societies, which the illustrious prelate knew so well.
19 of August de 2020
CLACSO Working Group
Religion, neoliberalism and post/decoloniality
This statement expresses the position of the Working Group Religion, neoliberalism and post/decoloniality and not necessarily that of the centers and institutions that make up the CLACSO international network, its Steering Committee or its Executive Secretariat.
