Religion in Latin America By: Devon Downeysmith Karen Parmelee

“The Spaniards and the Portuguese brought Roman Catholicism to the lands they conquered in the New World with a zeal and a success that have been rarely matched in history. Perhaps the fact that the native religions were of fear-inspiring, idol-worshipping, and priest-dominated type made the change-over to Roman Catholicism with its doctrine of hell-fire, its images and priests, not too difficult.” -William Stanley Rycroft

The Inquisition-16 th century Catholic priests and missionaries came with the colonists and explorers. Spain (King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella) believed that they were the “vessels of God” to carry and spread Catholicism across the world Many natives only accepted Catholicism under pressure from colonial powers. The Indian people, during the pre-Colombian era, their lives were controlled by a priestly caste so the Catholic system was not a completely foreign concept.

The Church and its Effects on Latin American Social Structure  Along with Spanish rule rapidly expanding in the Americas during colonization, the Spaniards established cities and universities all throughout their colonies, creating a system of dependence on both Spain in general and more specifically, the Catholic Church.  The church dominated these cities’ social structure most strongly through education.  The Catholic Church still operates many private schools throughout Latin America and until recently was considered the best education possible.  Recent increase in financial support of public schools has enabled public schools to offer at least an equal education to private schools.

Independence Epic and its Effects- 1800s When colonies gained independence from Spain, a decline in the popularity of Catholicism was seen because the church had close ties with colonial powers and many priests opposed independence. Many Latin Americans developed negative attitudes toward the Catholic church and thus the church lost a lot of its influence.

Renewal There has been a renewal of Catholicism in Latin America as priests have become involved in helping the poor and other social problems. Today approximately 80-90% of the population is Catholic, but the number of practicing Catholics varies from country to country. It is theorized that part of the success of Latin American Catholicism is because many Latin Americans of indigenous or African ancestry combined Catholic religious practices with the practices and beliefs of their ancestral traditions. The majority of the population is greatly influenced by the Roman Catholic Church.

20 th Century In early 1900s, the Catholic Church had close ties to military leaders and wealthy landowners who controlled governments. In early 1900s, the Catholic Church had close ties to military leaders and wealthy landowners who controlled governments. Many Latin American countries revolted this system and since the late 1960’s the church “has become increasingly active in the fight for civil and human rights and social justice”. Many Latin American countries revolted this system and since the late 1960’s the church “has become increasingly active in the fight for civil and human rights and social justice”. Despite all efforts on the Catholic side, Protestantism has won many Latin Americans over from Catholicism and anti-clerical feelings are still strong in many countries. Despite all efforts on the Catholic side, Protestantism has won many Latin Americans over from Catholicism and anti-clerical feelings are still strong in many countries.

Liberation Theology Liberation theologians believe that poverty is against the will of God. This theology began in the 1960’s. Liberation theologians believe that poverty is against the will of God. This theology began in the 1960’s. “Church officials represent a wide range of political opinion and participate in all levels of government. They take an active role on zoning and planning boards and in human-welfare agencies. In addition to performing their religious duties, many neighborhood and village priests work for social reforms on behalf of the poor in their districts.” “Church officials represent a wide range of political opinion and participate in all levels of government. They take an active role on zoning and planning boards and in human-welfare agencies. In addition to performing their religious duties, many neighborhood and village priests work for social reforms on behalf of the poor in their districts.” Many within Latin American governments and the Roman Catholic Church oppose liberation theologians and try to replace them with traditionalist priests because they believe that the movement jeopardizes “the church’s stability and wrongly stresses worldly concerns instead of spiritual matters.” Many within Latin American governments and the Roman Catholic Church oppose liberation theologians and try to replace them with traditionalist priests because they believe that the movement jeopardizes “the church’s stability and wrongly stresses worldly concerns instead of spiritual matters.” Most liberation theologians oppose violence as a means to further the movement, but some of the movement supporters have committed violent acts against Latin American governments. Most liberation theologians oppose violence as a means to further the movement, but some of the movement supporters have committed violent acts against Latin American governments. Some people claim liberation theology supports communism, but liberation theologians say that they reject it though it is not uncommon for them to use Marxist ideas to analyze social problems. Some people claim liberation theology supports communism, but liberation theologians say that they reject it though it is not uncommon for them to use Marxist ideas to analyze social problems.

Other Religions in Latin America Protestantism is the second most common religion followed in Latin America. Protestantism is the second most common religion followed in Latin America. Other faiths include Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Other faiths include Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Some black and indigenous people worship gods of their own culture. Some black and indigenous people worship gods of their own culture.

“The Roman Catholic Church has undoubtedly been the greatest single influence in the history of Latin America, its power being felt in every aspect of life, in the economic, social, and political spheres.” -William Stanley Rycroft

Bibliography Rycroft, William Stanley. Religion and Faith in Latin America. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, Schwaller, John F. The Church in Colonial Latin America. Wilimington: Scholarly Resources, Ropp, Steve C. “Latin America.” World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia. Ed Smith, Brian H. Religious Politics in Latin America. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1998.