Abstract
Religious movements of social protest have existed in many societies. In the years 70ies such a phenomenon has developed in Central America, but with new characteristics. They do not appear as sects against the official Church, but those movements are born inside the Church and are theologically legitimised. They don't want to organize religiously the social reality, but they accept its secular character. Such a «popular Church» or «Church of the poors» includes also important sections of the clergy and even of the hierarchy.