Pedro Casaldáliga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pedro Casaldáliga |
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| Bishop of São Félix do Araguaia | |
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| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Diocese | São Félix do Araguaia |
| In Office | 1971–2005 |
| Predecessor | Territorial prelature created |
| Successor | Leonardo Ulrich Steiner |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 31 May 1952 |
| Consecration | 23 October 1971 by Fernando Gomes dos Santos |
| Rank | bishop |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Pere Casaldàliga i Pla |
| Born | 16 February 1928 Balsareny, Catalonia, Spain |
| Died | 8 August 2020 (aged 92) Batatais, São Paulo state, Brazil |
Pedro Casaldáliga (born Pere Casaldàliga i Pla) was a very important leader in the Catholic Church. He was born in Spain in 1928 and later became a Brazilian citizen. From 1970 to 2005, he was the bishop of São Félix do Araguaia in Brazil.
Bishop Casaldáliga was well-known for supporting "liberation theology." This idea combines Christian faith with a focus on helping poor and oppressed people. He won many awards, including the Catalonia International Prize. He was a strong supporter of indigenous peoples and also wrote many books of poetry. He passed away in 2020.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Priesthood
Pere Casaldàliga was born on February 16, 1928, in Balsareny, a town in Catalonia, Spain. He grew up on his family's cattle farm. When he was nine years old, he joined the Claretians, a group of Catholic priests and brothers. He became a priest in Barcelona on May 31, 1952.
In 1968, Casaldàliga moved to Brazil to work as a missionary. A missionary is someone who travels to spread their religious faith. In 1970, Pope Paul VI chose him to lead the church area of São Félix. The next year, in 1971, he officially became the bishop of that area.
Standing Up for People in Brazil
During the 1970s, Brazil was ruled by a military government. This government tried to make Bishop Casaldàliga leave the country, but he refused. He spoke out for indigenous peoples and farmers, who were often treated unfairly. Because of his work, he received many threats to his life.
In 1976, a priest was killed right next to him during a protest. They were protesting how female prisoners were being treated. Bishop Casaldàliga also helped start the Missionary Indigenous Council in 1972. This group works to protect the rights and cultures of indigenous peoples in Brazil.
Working with the Vatican and Liberation Theology
Bishop Casaldàliga was a key figure in the "liberation theology" movement. This movement believes that Christians should work to free people from poverty and injustice. In 1988, the Vatican, the central government of the Catholic Church, asked him to come to Rome. They wanted to discuss his writings and his work.
He was asked to sign a statement agreeing to certain rules. These rules included not mixing politics with church events and getting permission to preach outside Brazil. Bishop Casaldàliga did not sign the statement. He believed that the Church needed to be more open and support the poor. He felt that his actions reflected the views of many church leaders around the world.
Later Years and Legacy
Bishop Casaldàliga retired from his role as bishop in 2005. However, he continued to live in São Félix do Araguaia and work as a priest. He kept helping the community and supporting the poor.
In 2007, when another theologian's work was criticized, Bishop Casaldàliga wrote an open letter. He asked the Church to show its true commitment to helping God's poor. He also asked them to recognize the connection between faith and working for justice.
He had Parkinson's disease, a condition that affects movement, since at least 2012. He often called it "Brother Parkinson." In 2015, Pope Francis even asked for Bishop Casaldàliga's advice when writing an important letter about caring for the environment.
Death Threats
Throughout his life, Bishop Casaldàliga faced many threats and even attempts on his life. In 1993, Amnesty International, a human rights organization, expressed concern for his safety. This was because landowners had hired people to kill him.
In December 2012, he had to leave his home for two months. The police hid him because he received death threats. This happened after he helped the Xavante people, an indigenous group, get their land back.
Death
On August 4, 2020, Bishop Casaldàliga was taken to the hospital. He had breathing problems and was very weak due to his Parkinson's disease. He tested negative for COVID-19.
Pedro Casaldáliga passed away on August 8, 2020, in Batatais, Brazil.
Awards and Honors
Creu de Sant Jordi (1990) - A high honor from the government of Catalonia, Spain.
Honoris causa for the University of Campinas (2000) - An honorary degree from a Brazilian university.
International Catalonia Prize (2006) - A major international award from Catalonia.- Order of Cultural Merit (2010) - An award from the Brazilian government for cultural contributions.
- Honoris causa for the Pontifical Catholic University of Goiás (2012) - An honorary degree.
- Honoris causa for the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (2014) - An honorary degree.
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Select Writings
- África De Colores. Promoción Popular Cristiana, 1961.
- Creio na Justiça e na Esperança. Rio de Janeiro: Civilização Brasileira, 1977.
- Proclama del justo sufriente: relatos y poemas brasilero (with Frédy Kunz and Pedro Terra). Centro de Estudios y Publicaciones, 1979.
- Experiencia de Dios y Pasión por el Pueblo. Santander: Sal Terrae, 1983. ISBN: 84-293-0670-6
- Comunidade, ecumenismo e libertação'. São Paulo: EDUC, 1983. ISBN: 85-050-0035-8
- Nicaragua, Combate y Profecía. San José de Costa Rica: DEI, 1987. ISBN: 99-779-0439-1
- El vuelo del quetzal: espiritualidad en Centroamérica. Maíz Nuestro, 1988.
- Leonidas Proaño: El Obispo de Los Pobres (with Francisco Enríquez). Quito: El Conejo, Corporación Editorial, 1989. ISBN: 9978-87-009-1
- Espiritualidad de la Liberación (with José Mª Vigil). Santander: Sal Terrae, 1992. ISBN: 84-293-1076-2
- Sonetos neobíblicos, precisamente. Musa, Nueva Utopía, 1996.
- Ameríndia, morte e vida (with Pedro Terra). Petrópolis: Paulus, 1997.
- Murais da libertação (with Cerezo Barredo). São Paulo: Loyola, 2005.
- Orações da caminhada (with Pedro Terra). Verus Editora, 2005.
- Versos adversos: antologia (with Enio Squeff). Editora Fundação Perseu Abramo, 2006.
- Martírio do padre João Bosco Penido Burnier. São Paulo: Loyola, 2006. ISBN: 85-15-03238-4
See also
In Spanish: Pedro Casaldáliga para niños
