Introduction : Jose? Oscar Beozzo, Luiz Carlos Susin -- The formation of the Brazilian people : Luiz Eduardo W. Wanderley -- New Age: an errant religious culture in Brazil today : Leila Amaral -- Fifty years of the CNBB: a bishops' conference based on the Council: evangelization projects; political and ecclesiastical tensions and challenges : Cardinal Aloi?sio Lorscheider -- The origins of Medellin: from Catholic action to the base church communities and social pastoral strategies (1950-68) : Luiz Alberto Go?mez de Souza -- Stories of faith and life in the base communities : Faustino Teixeira -- The struggle for modern and ancestral rights: thirty years of the Indianist Missionary Council (CIMI) : Paulo Suess -- The struggle for a just land policy : Toma?s Balduino -- Pastoral strategy in the Brazilian mega-cities : Joa?o Batista Liba?nio -- Shifts in theology: socio-ecclesiastical changes: recent developments in theology in Brazil : Carlos Palacio -- The contribution of Brazilian ecclesiology to the universal church : Leonardo Boff -- The globalization of continental challenges: a call from Brazil on understanding the Christian faith : Agenor Brighenti -- Pentecostal flames in contemporary Brazil : Brenda Maribel Carranza Da?vila -- Women in the Brazilian church : Maria Clara Lucchetti Bingemer -- Afro-Brazilians and the church: open wounds, scars, and hopes : Afonso Maria Ligorio Soares -- Church and politics in Brazil today : Francisco Whitaker Ferreira -- Open letter to the soul of Brazil : Pedro Casalda?liga -- Documentation: '...and the earth was without form and void': a brief account of a solidarity visit to Palestine : Paulo Suess.