THE
CHRISTIAN CHURCHES IN LATIN AMERICA
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KEY
POINTS
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Christianity
is still a very important part of Latin American identity but the Roman
Catholic Church now plays a less important role within that. Some question how
long Latin America will continue to be a predominantly Catholic region. In
1910, 90% of Latin Americans were Catholic; by 2010, this was reduced to 72%.
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Huge
increase in the proportion of Pentecostal Churches. Despite early involvement of US missionaries,
growth over last 40-50 years has been a particularly Latin American
phenomenon. Growth rates are particularly
high in Brazil, Guatemala, Chile, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. Brazil is still the largest Catholic
population in the world (123 million) but Pentecostals now 43 million and
gaining about 600,000 per year. 38% of
Guatemalans are Pentecostal.
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Members of Pentecostal Churches are imbued with
energy and drive. They stress self-help and the belief that, by choosing
certain patterns of behaviour, a person can bring about improvement in their
circumstances in this life. They offer a sense of belonging within a
community and can provide some structure and order to those who would otherwise
be lost in the chaos of the modern changing world. Strongest support lies in the
poorer communities but they have broadened their appeal to the urban middle
classes.
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The
Pentecostal community are increasingly involved in politics but do not identify
with a particular ideology. Their belief
in self-improvement and actively taking responsibility for changing conditions
could eventually have an impact on the style of Latin America’s politics.
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The
Catholic Church is still a significant source of social and welfare services
such as hospitals, schools, and soup kitchens (often virtually sole providers
because of limited state capacity). It is prepared to criticise some of the harshest
consequences of globalisation and speak out against government policies that
cause poverty and social tensions. It is
involved in debates over environment, corruption, indigenous rights and plays a
key role in mediation and in reducing levels of violence.
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The
election of a Latin American Pope will provide huge boost to the confidence of the
Catholic Church in the region but might not reverse the rise of Pentecostalism.
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All
the Churches are losing influence in the debate over social issues but still remain
amongst the most trusted and respected institutions in Latin America.
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Latin
American Christianity is having impact beyond the region. Liberation Theology and Pentecostalism offer
lessons that can be applied elsewhere in the world. Latin American immigrants
in North America and Europe will influence Churches in the host communities. Pentecostal Churches are sending missionaries
to rest of the world with the aim of conversion.
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