Clergy Look to Masses

Then, beginning in the early 1960's, events both within and outside the Church brought about a radical change in its direction, methods and goals.

The message came through loud and clear: 'For the Church, the first means of evangelisation is the witness of an authentically Christian life, given over to God ... and at the same time given to one's neighbour with limitless zeal. Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.' (Evangelii Nuntiandi, 1976 from Paul VI.) It coincided with the growth of nationalistic feeling and radical political consciousness among the people of many Latin American nations.

The reaction from governments composed mainly of members of oligarchic families, and the military or such paramilitary forces as the secret police, was naturally to increase the vast repression that already existed. Any movement, political or otherwise, that might increase social, economic or political independence among the mass of people became subject to harassment or attempts at elimination. Priests, religious and catechists - lay men and women who assist in evangelisation - engaged with such projects as local literacy campaigns, organising food co-operatives, starting communal work groups or peasant unions, were threatened, arrested, imprisoned, tortured or killed.