Igreja e desenvolvimento comunitário - a participação da igreja metodista unida no desenvolvimento local: o caso de Cambine, Distrito de Morrumbene, Província de Inhambane 1990-2003

Abstract

The limitation of religious freedom in the country after independence, prevented churches, like the United Methodist, to demonstrate their potential through works of social and humanitarian support to the populations, mainly in rural areas. Churches since colonial times have developed, in addition to missionary action, social services, particularly in the areas of education and health. During the referred period, Mozambique is affected by a civil war that causes a deep social crisis, while weakening the State's interventionist action. This situation ended up reflecting on the change in the relationship between the State and the Church. A greater scope for action has been opened up for the latter. In this way, the Church's action began to prove to be important in humanitarian support for the populations affected by the war and in the natural disasters that affected the country. In 1990, with the new constitution that opens up the participation of civil society in the struggle for the development of the country, this demonstrated the great influence it has on public life. First it was a very important actor in the Peace Accords that were signed in Rome in 1992 and then in the resettlement of the displaced populations due to the war. The Church has also become a very important player in the development of the country. The latter, mainly in rural areas, actively participates in the social life of the populations through the implementation of social institutions such as schools, hospitals, as well as in the design and implementation of projects in the context of economic development. In an attempt to illustrate our position, we take as an example the mission of the United Methodist Church in Mozambique, in the locality of Cambine, Morrumbene district, Inhambane province, which has been playing an important role in social and economic support to the local community. The limitation of religious freedom in the country after independence, prevented churches, like the United Methodist, to demonstrate their potential through works of social and humanitarian support to the populations, mainly in rural areas. Churches since colonial times have developed, in addition to missionary action, social services, particularly in the areas of education and health. During the referred period, Mozambique is affected by a civil war that causes a deep social crisis, while weakening the State's interventionist action. This situation ended up reflecting on the change in the relationship between the State and the Church. A greater scope for action has been opened up for the latter. In this way, the Church's action began to prove to be important in humanitarian support for the populations affected by the war and in the natural disasters that affected the country. In 1990, with the new constitution that opens up the participation of civil society in the struggle for the development of the country, this demonstrated the great influence it has on public life. First it was a very important actor in the Peace Accords that were signed in Rome in 1992 and then in the resettlement of the displaced populations due to the war. The Church has also become a very important player in the development of the country. The latter, mainly in rural areas, actively participates in the social life of the populations through the implementation of social institutions such as schools, hospitals, as well as in the design and implementation of projects in the context of economic development. In an attempt to illustrate our position, we take as an example the mission of the United Methodist Church in Mozambique, in the locality of Cambine, Morrumbene district, Inhambane province, which has been playing an important role in social and economic support to the local community. (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)