MEDELLÍN: 50 YEARS – FRANCIS: 5 YEARS: THEOLOGICAL-PASTORAL PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

The 50 years celebration of the Conference of Medellin (1968) coin­cides with the 5 years of Pope Francis' pastoral ministry (2013). This chronological coincidence is a prime occasion to clarify and emphasize the theological-pastoral coincidence between both. It helps to understand better the process of ecclesial renewal triggered by Francis and the current relevance of the ecclesial dynamism, unleashed by Medellin. First, the text highlights the importance of Medellin and of Francis in the Church and in society. It then explains the fundamental theological/pastoral perspective of both. And, from that perspective, it addresses some of the major challenges the Church is faced with today in her mission of evangelization: challenges regarding the understanding and setup of the Church and her mission (Ecclesiology), and the appeals and demands that spring from our present historical situation (signs of the times).