Father Lebret, Friar Benevenuto and the Economy and Humanism movement in São Paulo (1947-1966)

ABSTRACT

This article analyzes the work of the Economy and Humanism movement in the city of São Paulo between 1947 and 1966 through the actions of the French priest Lebret and the Brazilian Friar Benevenuto, two relevant figures for the consolidation of this movement in the capital of São Paulo. The text starts with the outline of the main movements of Brazilian Catholicism between the 1920s and 1950s - a relevant context to understand these religious trajectory -, the French Dominican first trip to Brazil, the course given by him at the Escola Livre de Sociologia e Política (Free School of Sociology and Politics) and his work in the SAGMACS foundation. Then, a parallel between Economy and Humanism in Brazil and France in 1948 and 1949 has been drawn, period in which the Brazilian Dominican participated in an internship at the movements’ headquarters and traveled through European countries. Next, their performance in SAGMACS and in the São Paulo Team of Economy and Humanism during the 1950s has been evaluated, as well as the research contracted by public agencies, the 1^st International Congress of Economy and Humanism, and other activities in São Paulo. The article finishes evaluating the dissolution of SAGMACS after the 1964 Civil-Military Coup, and the friendship between Friar Benevenuto and Father Lebret.

Keywords:
Father Lebret; Friar Benevenuto; Economy and Humanism movement; SAGMACS; São Paulo