In the intricacies of the walk: the gender issue in the Basic Ecclesial Communities (CEBs)

Abstract

The article starts from the premise that to build gender relations basedon equity is a demand of contemporary world; it analyses how it is ocurringinside the Basic Ecclesial Communities – BECs – of the Catholic Church. In thisrealm, it emphasizes the women’s participation in specifically religious activities aswell as in their internal organization and in social activities. This participationleads women to acquire conscience of their rights, not only as human personsbut also as women: in this way, it contributes to their emancipation process. Aquick historical of the Intereclesial Meetings, since 1975, has helped to visualizehow this conscience has been built along the years and more specifically throughthe last three meetings. Although fundamental, this contribution does not meana finished process: structural limitations as well as problems which are inherent tothe fonctionning of the BECs themselves difficult its realization. But even so,the communities offer a space to get along building more equitable genderrelations.