RURALIST WEEKS IN BRAZIL: Catholic Church and Development

Abstract

We analyzed the rural extension project developed in Brazil in the 20th century: the ruralist weeks. These events took place in different parts of the country and aimed to discuss aspects related to the living conditions of Brazilian rural populations. The first weeks were held in the 1930s and were promoted by private organizations. However, between the 1940s and 1950s, other organizations such as the Catholic Church also started to promote them. It was with the collaboration of the Church, in the 1950s, that the implementation of these events increased exponentially. Through national journals, reports from the Agricultural Information Service (SIA) and bibliographic review, we observed how the process of consolidating these events took place in the country, emphasizing the cooperation with the Church. Catholic parishes were used by the State in its project to modernize and integrate Brazilian rural areas and became spaces for fostering technical and scientific knowledge in agriculture and health.

Keywords: Catholic Church. Ruralist Week. Development.