Abstract
This work takes as object the network of agents and agencies that configures the Pastoral da Criança (a social action body of the CNBB) – self called “network of solidarity” – forming a form of government of maternal and child health. The agency promotes “basic health actions”, “nutrition”, “education” and “citizenship” for children under six years old from the so-called “pockets of poverty”. It is based on the “volunteer” work of the “pastoral leader”, amalgamating secular and religious knowledge in the govern of mothers and children. The article discusses the relationship between the Pastoral da Criança and the Brazilian State, based on the formation of networks of agencies and the flows of people, policies and money involved in the national and international expansion of the organism, exploring two axes: 1) articulation Pastoral da Criança with the Ministry of Health; 2) the articulation between the pastoral and the Brazilian Cooperation Agency.
Keywords:
mission; government; health policy; international cooperation