Basic Christian communities in San Gabriel De Aserri, 1979-1984

The Basic Christian Communities in Latin America were created with the official support of the Roman Catholic Church in the 1960s in order for the Church to work with the poor people of Latin America. However, the official representative of the Roman Catholic Church in Latin America, CELAM, does not recognize Liberation Theology, and the Pope and CELPM condemned the People's Church claiming it opposes the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.This thesis studies a particular experience of the Basic Christian Communities in a rural area of San Gabriel, Costa Rica. It shows that the farmers of San Gabriel de Aserri have their own culture and customs which express their strategies in order to develop their goals. The local priest should develop and support the goals of the community for the well being of the Church and the community.The survey shows that when local organizations began in San Gabriel de Aserri in 1979, they helped to broaden the farmers social and economic consciences, theological beliefs, pastoral and liturgical practices. These changes are assisted by the growth and actions of the organization known as Basic Christian Communities.The Basic Christian Communities support leaders of the communities and familiarize them with the doctrine of the Catholic Church which gives the lay people more participation in the Church. Lay leaders, along with the members of the Basic Christian Communities and priests develop new solutions to the economic, social, and political problems of the poor people.Thesis (M.A.