The catholic conservatism in the brazilian politics: considerations on the activities of TFP from the past to the present

Abstract

After developing a brief mapping of the currents that have historically formed the conservative Catholicism in Brazil, this research investigates the influence of the Brazilian Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) in the country political. For the purpose of this, the present research relies on interviews with activists of the TFP, discusses the political activities of the organization since its foundation by relating it to the Brazilian social context of the second half of the twentieth century and by emphasizing its conservative/ traditionalist character, anti-Communist and anti-modern. Furthermore, the research examines the current state of TFP in Brazil and its recasting started by the death of Plínio Corrêa de Oliveira, founder and chief ideologue of the institution. Finally, the article approaches the role played by the “tefepistas” in 2010 presidential elections, a scenario widely influenced by religious morality and the proselytism provided by actors linked to some churches.