Comunidades eclesiales de base como movimiento social

Abstract

The main purpose of the present research is to focus on the basic ecclesial communities (BEC) in the period between 1950 and 1994. From a historical-critical analysis, this work shows that those communities established in Colombia and Latin America are in fact a social and popular movement born in the poorest sectors of society. Their most outstanding characteristic is their catholic christian faith enriched with a profound sense of reflexion and liberation. The BEC have been direct witnesses of the social colombian conflict and therefore their role in promoting social and political actors contributes to renovate the society and the catholic church itself.