Padre Albino Alves da Cunha e Silva e a doutrina social da igreja no pontificado do Papa Francisco

Abstract

This dissertation, entitled Father Albino Alves da Cunha e Silva and the Social Doctrine of the Church in the Pontificate of Pope Francis, analyzes the convergence between the Church’s social teaching and the life and mission of the Venerable Father Albino. Drawing on the theological and magisterial foundations of the Church’s Social Doctrine (CSD), it seeks to demonstrate how Christian faith, when embraced as a transformative practice, is expressed through acts of justice, mercy, and solidarity. The study is organized into three complementary chapters: the first, of a dogmatic nature, presents the historical and theological development of the CSD, with particular emphasis on Pope Francis’s magisterium and his proposal of a Church that “goes forth,” close to the poor and committed to the common good; the second, of a historical character, situates Father Albino within the political and ecclesial context of Portugal in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, analyzing the impact of liberalism and anticlericalism on his priestly formation, as well as his arrival in Brazil; the third, of pastoral orientation, interprets his life and ministry in Catanduva as a living expression of the principles of the CSD. It concludes that Father Albino embodied, in an exemplary manner, the Social Doctrine of the Church, uniting faith and charity, spirituality and social commitment, and becoming a concrete witness of mercy, hope, and holiness.

Date of Award	7 Nov 2025
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Luís M. Figueiredo Rodrigues (Supervisor)