A outra face católica da economia solidária: atividades do Instituto dos Irmãos Maristas das Escolas

Abstract

Catholicism in Brazil has effectively enjoyed a number of advantages based on its former position as the predominant religion in the country, despite its steady decline in adherents. There is a relevant Catholic role in the development of the solidarity economy, as a matrix for such a movement. Several studies have addressed the relationship between Catholicism and solidary economic practices, but focusing on the organization Cáritas Brasileira, linked to the CNBB, without duly contemplating other Catholic groups, such as the Congregation of Marist Brothers of Schools, which constitutes the other most relevant Catholic face of the solidarity economy in Brazil. This thesis focuses on the work of such a religious congregation in relation to the solidarity economy, comprising the period between the early 1990s and 2022. The theoretical foundation is based on the intersection between liberation Catholicism and the principles of solidarity economy in Brazil. country. The investigation was carried out from a qualitative approach, using mainly documental research and interviews. The development of the research went through three stages, namely: 1) moment of engagement of the Marists in supporting solidarity economy activities; 2) the trajectory of the Marist Institute of Solidarity, the main organization of the congregation; and 3) development of solidary economic activities, which were linked to the Congregation, after the closure of the Institute