The reception of gravissimum educationis in the document “education” from Medellin conference

First approaches.

Abstract

The present exploratory paperintends to study the reception that CELAM, through its II Conference in Medellin (1968), made of the Gravissimum Educationis declaration on Christian Education (1965) at the II Vatican Council. According to our viewpoint, in the first place, this reception is a study that has not been examined in depth yet. For this reason, this paper deals with the first approaches and has an exploratory character. In addition, we think that the theology-pedagogy relation is a field of study we are in debt with, both as educators and theologians. In the second place, we consider that the reception of the Council document means both an epistemological and theological breakup since the language used in Medellin to talk about education is remarkably different from other presentations in the Council. In addition, we consider the use of the biblical and magisterial foundations of the document “Education” at Medellin as a sign of the aforementioned breakup and a deficient reception. Finally, some conclusions will be made to allow people understand that this study is not finished, but needs to be continued with the theoretical elaboration both educationally and ecclesiastically lived.