1. Catholicism in One Hundred Years of Solitude By Emilie Esders

2. Origins 1519 Hernán Cortés lands at Veracruz, Mexico with instructions to set up trade, take possession of all newly discovered land, and evangelize the Indians. He conquered the Aztecs essentially starting the conversion of Latin America to Catholicism. Goal was to eliminate all native cultures. First diocese was erected in 1519. First organized missionary expedition was to Mexico in 1524. By 1559 the missionary corps of New Spain was made up of 802 people in almost 160 monasteries. Clergy learned native languages and customs in order to preach directly to the indigenous people.

3. In Latin America Hierarchal order Archdioceses oversee large areas, then diocese grouped into provinces, then local bishop, and clerics. There was a maximum of 27 clerics per cathedral and each received the title of Don as well as a percentage of the tithe. Acted as a bank. Worked on a credit system. Issued mortgages and charged interest which generated income for the church. At one point the church owned, as some have estimated, one third of all agricultural land in Latin America. Church accepted sons of local upper class into the clergy so by the early 1600s the clergy was evenly divided by Europeans {Peninsulares} and those born in the New World {Creoles}.

4. The Church and War Church is most important establishment to survive wars of independence. During the wars the upper clergy were still primarily Spanish and remained loyal to the king, while the lower clergy were mostly creoles and supported the insurgent movements. Caused much division within the church as well as communities.

5. The Church and Politics Remained conservative therefore losing much of its power when liberalism garnered strength. Experienced a declining number of vocations to the priesthood. Started schools to combat decline. Liberalism took strong hold in the middle and upper classes but hardly touched lower classes so church remained strong in those realms. Church has emerged as a supporter of human rights, democracy, and social change—liberation theology.

6. One Hundred Years of Solitude Original Sin “GOD EXISTS” Death ceremonies Purgatory Father Nicanor Reyna Chocolate levitation Church under Arcadio’s rule All soul’s day Suicide Politics of the war Papal supremacy “Virgin of Help”

7. Bibliography Márquez, Gabriel García. One Hundred Years of Solitude. Harper & Row: 1970. “Catholic Church.” Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture. Charles Schriber’s Sons. New York, 1996. pp. 28-37. “Cortés.” Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture. Charles Schriber’s Sons. New York, 1996. pp. 274-276.