Christology within the Contemporary Latin American Context

   CONTENTS  

Foreword

Research Structures

Energy, Environment, and Biodiversity

Humanities and Ethics

Culture and Education

Society and Development

Information and Communication Technology

Biology and Health

Research Structures and Researchers

About

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The Church’s preventive responsibility

The image of Christ in the manger is an icon as representative of peace as the Holy Ghost’s white dove. Historically sanctioned symbols contribute to the expression of Christianity’s commitment to peace and strengthen the necessity of the Church’s preventive responsibility in the solution of conflicts, as maintained by Professor Erico Hammes, chair of the Christology within the Contemporary Latin American Context Research Group.

According to data provided by the federal government, several varieties of violence in Brazil, such as traffic accidents, deaths by banal reasons, and drug dependency, claim more than 100,000 victims every year. Society typically responds by developing solutions, such as private security, that actually increase the culture of violence. To emphasize the importance and strengthen the commitment of the Church against such adverse situations, the studies of this group focus on behavioral and educational subjects that aim to promote the Gospels to elicit the awareness of people. These activities could be conducted at celebrations, educational meetings, and conflictive communities.

One research project aims to map peace in Porto Alegre (RS) by identifying initiatives by the government, schools, and the third sector to promote the culture of peace. Actions seeking disarmament, restorative justice, and making youths aware that they must not fall under the influence of alcohol are already under way; however, a broad, comprehensive view is absent.

Future projects include a book on Christology from a peace perspective based in Brazil. This book may be organized along three lines: Jesus and his message, God’s kingship, and the Holy Spirit.

The group is affiliated with the World Forum of Theology and Liberation, which was derived from the World Social Forum. This group also conducts joint studies with the Theology and Society Group and the Study Group on Peace from the PUCRS Schools of Theology and Social Work, respectively.