Feature story
This trajectory marks a Protestantism shaped by solidarity and the struggle for fundamental rights—a struggle that continues to this day.
Immigration as context
Lutherans who arrived from Germany during the 19th century faced challenges that could only be overcome through community solidarity. These immigrants brought with them the theology of the Reformation, which advocated for the “Universal Priesthood”—the idea that all actions taken for the common good are a form of worship to God.
From the beginning, solidarity was a defining trait of the Protestant immigrants' lives in Brazil.
“Associations emerged not only to meet religious needs but also to address educational ones, establishing bilingual and community schools in places where formal education was limited. These initiatives reflected Luther’s theological view that all economic activity should ensure life’s subsistence and preservation, not unrestrained profit,” writes Wirth.
“Starting in 1864, Brazilian Protestant communities entered a phase of institutionalization, driven by the arrival of German missionaries and theologians. With the increasing commercialization of emigration, immigrants' connection to German culture became a strategic tool for strengthening the German economy.”
However, the focus on preserving German heritage transformed Protestantism into an ethnic-cultural phenomenon, where being Protestant was often equated with being German.
The Impact of growing nationalism and World War I
Growing nationalism in Germany and the onset of World War I created a hostile environment for German communities in Brazil. In 1917, the Brazilian government banned the use of German in religious ceremonies and newspapers, disrupting communication among communities. Wirth affirms that this period “exposed a tension between local dynamics and decisions made by German institutions, which limited the autonomy of Brazilian leaders.”
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Dr. Lauri Emilio Wirth.
Hugo Caldas Oliveira/IECLB
A new path for Brazilian Lutheranism
Beginning in the 1930s, under Getúlio Vargas's nationalization policies, Protestantism in Brazil began distancing itself from German ethnic identity, strengthening its local presence. The founding of the School of Theology in 1946 in São Leopoldo allowed for the formation of a Brazilian Lutheran clergy and initiated an openness to dialogue with emerging social issues in the country.
Movements like the 1970 “Curitiba Manifesto” marked important steps in recognizing the church’s social responsibility, although many communities still resisted engaging in these debates.
Reflection and social responsibility
In the 1970s and 1980s, the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil expanded its mission beyond rural communities, becoming involved in causes such as the support of small farmers and Indigenous populations. This social engagement coincided with internal migration within Brazil, bringing the church face-to-face with the country's religious and cultural pluralism. From that point on, the church began seeking a theology that engaged with the challenges of modernity, adopting an ecumenical stance.
For Wirth, the history of Protestantism in Brazil exemplifies resilience and adaptation. “From small immigrant communities to urban social action networks, Brazilian Protestantism has undergone significant transformations, shaped by local social needs and cultural dynamics.”
Today, looking back on this past, the church continues to seek ways to be a relevant church for Brazilian society, committed to promoting justice and solidarity. “The journey of these communities underscores the power of faith in building a space for peaceful coexistence and mutual respect in a plural country like Brazil,” he concludes.
