The Episcopal Conference of Medellín: inspiration for a latin american and caribbean mysticism

Abstract

This article’s proposal is to think in a mysticism from the inspiration of the Second General Conference of the Latin American Episcopate that was held in Medellín, Colombia, between 24th August and 6th September of 1968. From 50 years of this inaugural event of a Latin American and Caribbean face of the Catholic Church, with an ecumenical perspective and attentive to the “Signs of the Times”, has developed, also, a singular mysticism, linked with the reality lived in Latin America. In this way, this article will approach the singularity of this mysticism, that was born in Medellín and will point for their specificities: an historical and no dichotomyc mysticism; integral; compassionate and centered in the service, mainly to the poors; diaconal and lived in the dynamism of love; experienced in the Basis Communities; prophetic and liberating; ruled in an engaged reading of the Bible; and attentive to the Signs of the Times. Supported in a bibliographic revision methodology and in dialogue with some authors that study the conclusive document of the Conference, initially, this article will introduce the innovation promoted by Medellín, suggesting it as an ecclesial charism that could be updated in the contemporary reality. Them, will approach the specificities of the mysticism that is born in that moment.