Abstract

Puebla's present approach 40 years later aims to identify the synchrony and diachrony between the context of yesterday and today, postulating that Francisco's new pontificate is an opportune moment to resume the liberating ecclesial tradition, woven above all around Medellín and Puebla. It is a markedly historical approach, having as reference the analysis of the renewal of Vatican II and its creative reception by Medellín, which had in Puebla a counterpoint of conservative segments and in Santo Domingo its stagnation. The text is structured in three parts: in the first, it makes reference to the consensus between Latin American teaching and theology in Medellín, the confrontation in Puebla and Santo Domingo, now neutralized by Francisco; in the second part, it outlines the process of “ecclesial involution”, which began in the mid-1980s and continued until Aparecida and the election of Pope Francis; in the third part, given the new ecclesial moment created by Aparecida and the new pontificate, it is justified that there is a new chance for the liberating ecclesial tradition. The text points out that today Puebla's contribution cannot be lost sight of, disqualifying nostalgic stances from a past without return and capable of encouraging renewed hope in the liberating ecclesial tradition of the Church in Latin America.