O estado leigo e o projeto ultramontano

Book Description

This scholarly exploration examines a pivotal moment in Brazilian religious history when the Catholic Church navigated the turbulent waters of political transformation during the establishment of the Republic. Riolando Azzi presents the fourth volume of his comprehensive study of Brazilian Catholicism, focusing on the complex relationship between ultramontane Church leadership and secular political power.

The book reveals how ecclesiastical authorities responded to the challenges of a changing political landscape, particularly their efforts to restore the Church's former influence and position in society. Azzi documents the hierarchy's resistance to emerging liberal and anarchist movements, while simultaneously examining their advocacy for obedience to established governmental authority.

Readers will discover the intricate dynamics between traditional monarchist sympathies within the Church and the reality of republican governance. The author illuminates the tension between liberal Catholic thought and anticlerical liberal movements, showing how these competing ideologies shaped religious and political discourse.

For those interested in understanding how spiritual institutions adapt to social and political upheaval, this work offers valuable insights into the strategies religious leadership employs when confronting secular challenges. The book demonstrates how faith communities negotiate their role in society while maintaining their core beliefs and institutional integrity during periods of significant transformation.

This historical analysis provides a window into the broader questions of how religious authority intersects with political power and social change.