Inspired by the proposal for a reading of modernity from Brazil, this paper focuses on three highlights in the history of the Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado Mountain in Rio de Janeiro. The first analyzes the meanings acquired by the idea of freedom of religion that allowed erecting a Catholic symbol in the national capital. The second reveals the contemporary characteristics of the architectural form and devotional content in the image that served as the icon for a Christian restoration. The third analyzes the recent Catholic demand to reclaim the monument’s "religious meaning" - premised on a societal differentiation - as a presence in the public space. Emphasizing modern notions and arguments in the Catholic discourse, the article concludes with elaborations on the multiple and polyvalent nature of modernity.
modernity; Catholic Church; monuments