lati 50 introduction to latin america religion, the church, and liberation theology
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CURRENT ASSIGNMENTS
Reading: Modern Latin America, chs. 7 and 14
Optional Paper: 6-10 pages on a topic of your choosing (approved by TA) Due in class Tuesday, March 11
CONVENTIONAL WISDOMS
Role of CatholicismConservative politicsAuthority of priesthoodUnchanging doctrinesCultures of faith
INCONVENIENT FACTS
60 % of world’s Catholics, and 90-95% born as Catholics, but: Only 71% describe selves as Catholic, but attendance at mass is
much less
Anti-clericalism and secularism significantIntense theological fermentCompetition from Protestantism and other religions
HISTORICAL PATTERNS
Syncretism: blending of European (Catholic) and indigenous belief systems
Role of priest in village society: Preacher, teacher Arbiter, referee Path to upward mobility
Trinity of power: elite, military, and clergy Church as banker Doctrine of obedience
LIBERATION THEOLOGY
Origins: Rerum novarum (1891) and Catholic social doctrine Marxist analysis Vatican II (1962-65) Conference of Latin American Bishops (Medellín, 1968)
Principal themes: Social justice on earth Poverty a consequence of sin “Preferential option for the poor” Need for “liberation” from oppression and from avarice,
selfishness, lack of compassion = thus a more perfect relationship with God
MEANS TO LIBERATION
Christian Base CommunitiesReadings of the BiblePopular empowerment Support for revolutionary movements (in some cases),
resistance to authoritarian regimesOpposition from Vatican (Pope John Paul II and
Benedict XVI) and from institutional Church…less so from Francis I
THE CHURCH AND POLITICS
Difference between institutional hierarchy and regular “orders” (e.g., Jesuits, Franciscans, Dominicans)
Open support for human rights: Brazil Chile Central America (Nicaragua, El Salvador)
Conservative/reactionary stances: Argentina Colombia
RISE OF PROTESTANTISM
Key Doctrines Direct personal experience of God through baptism in the Holy Spirit
(thus, “born again”) Infallibility of Bible, personal healing
Brazil Assemblies of God Universal Church of Kingdom of God Estimates: 30+ million
Central America Guatemala
Factors Charismatic preachers + missionaries Appeal to migrants in urban slums, provision of practical support
systems No need for literacy (as in reading Bible)
ROOTS, AFRICAN AND INDIGENOUS
African: Umbanda (Brazil) Candomblé Santería (Cuba)
Indigenous: Bolivia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru
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