This presentation will analyze the construction of identity within social movements such as the Christian Base Communities (CBCs), the Comissão Pastoral da Terra (CPT) and the Movimento de Educação Popular (MEB), in Brazil. This analysis of identity uses a transcultural perspective. It is based on my master dissertation that discussed how two catholic leaders influenced the construction of identity within these movements. The movements were involved in many conflicts over land ownership in Propriá, Sergipe, from 1970 to 1985. The primary question in the dissertation was on the one hand how the charisma (Weber, 2000) of the religious leaders Maria Herminia Gogo and the bishop D. Brandão de Castro exerted influence on the construction of identity within these movements. On the other hand it discussed how the demand of the poor and their critique influenced the religious leaders´ position. The collected material consisted of the letters, written texts, newspaper articles, and Bishop José Brandão’s diary in which he recounts his experience with the conflicts over land. I made use of the Analysis of Content (Bardin, 1977) and complemented with interviews with members of the mentioned movements. The conclusion was that the participation of the leaders in conflicts and the criticisms received lead to a redefinition of identity of religious leaders and movements.