CELAM and the emerging reception of the “Bridge Theology” of Pope Francis: from Marcos Gregorio Mcgrath to the Latin American church today

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Published: Aug 31, 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5752/P.2175-5841.2018v16n50p454-481
Keywords:
Bridge Theology, Laity, Vatican Council II, CELAM, McGrath, C.S.C.

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Robert S. Pelton
Director Emeritus, Institute for Church Life. He received his Sacrae Theologiae Doctor from St. Thomas University, Rome. At various times, he served Notre Dame as Instructor of Theology and Chair of the Theology Department, Founding Director of Latin American/North American Church Concerns (LANACC), and Fellow of Kellogg Institute. He coordinated the U.S. Conference Research Project on the Churches of America.

Abstract

The Second Vatican Council has a special significance in Latin America. This is especially true due to the influence of the document Gaudium et Spes (The Church in the Modern World). This took place at the Medellín Conference (1968) when Bishop Marcus Gregorio McGrath, C.S.C., pointed to this influence through his keynote address “The Signs of the Times.” He was prepared for this moment through his earlier theological training in Europe and his pastoral missions, especially in Chile and Panama. It was his earlier practice of Catholic Action among young lay persons that led him into the “bridge theology” that was to be promoted further by Pope Francis.

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How to Cite
PELTON, Robert S. CELAM and the emerging reception of the “Bridge Theology” of Pope Francis: from Marcos Gregorio Mcgrath to the Latin American church today. HORIZONTE - Journal of Studies in Theology and Religious Sciences, Belo Horizonte, v. 16, n. 50, p. 454–481, 2018. DOI: 10.5752/P.2175-5841.2018v16n50p454-481. Disponível em: https://periodicos.pucminas.br/horizonte/article/view/P.2175-5841.2018v16n50p454. Acesso em: 14 aug. 2025.
Issue
v. 16, n. 50, maio/ago. 2018 - Dossiê - Conferência de Medellín: 50 anos
Section
Artigos/Articles: Dossiê/Dossier

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Author Biography

Robert S. Pelton, Director Emeritus, Institute for Church Life. He received his Sacrae Theologiae Doctor from St. Thomas University, Rome. At various times, he served Notre Dame as Instructor of Theology and Chair of the Theology Department, Founding Director of Latin American/North American Church Concerns (LANACC), and Fellow of Kellogg Institute. He coordinated the U.S. Conference Research Project on the Churches of America.

Robert Pelton, C.S.C., graduou-se com distinções na Universidade Notre Dame (Indiana, EUA), em 1945. Doutorou-se em Teologia na Pontifícia Universidade São Tomás de Aquino (Angelicum) em Roma em 1949. Como jornalista, participou das conferências do episcopado latino-americano (CELAM) em Puebla, Santo Domingo e Aparecida. Autor de inúmeros livros e artigos em periódicos e do documentário premiado Monseñor: The Last Journey of Latin America (“Monsenhor: A última jornada da América Latina”), Pe. Pelton continuar a escrever extensivamente a respeito das grandes conferências latino-americanas, sobre Dom Oscar Romero e sobre o tema da Teologia da Libertação.