The Five General Conferences of the Latin American Episcopate in Their Theological Context (1955-2007)

This paper reviews the five General Conferences of the Latin American Episcopate held over the course of half a century, from the first one, held in Rio, until the most recent one in Aparecida. To facilitate the understanding of these Conferences, the theological context of each is recalled and some of the main points of their "Conclusions" are indicated. These Episcopal Assemblies prove that there is a specifically Latin American pastoral theology. Nonetheless, if before one had to prevent Eurocentric exaggerations, it is currently necessary that one avoid excessive Latin Americanism.