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8/4/1968 - Religion and Modernization: Some Reflections by Thomas G. Sanders

NOT FOR PUBLICATION INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS Avds Juan orales Santie Chile August TGS Religion Modernization Some Reflections Mr Richard H Nolte Institute Current Yorld Affairs Madison Avenue New York New York 10017 Dear Mr Nolte To synthesize thirteen previou newsletter various aspects Catholic Church Latin America I think would useful other readers somewhat theoretical statement which designed together observations religion modernization Any analysis relationship between Catholicism Americau modernization development recognize peculiar characteristics religious against secular institution We ommuot simply judge Church political party Army ideology because religious institution prime functl treatment temporal issues sociated human progress The Ohurch differs other Latin American institutions movements because dfferent special program solving secular problems because chief relate God Consequently cannot expect Church xample secularize itself dedicate energy completely social polit problems adapt itself facilely contemporary fashions Neveztheless Catholicism world major religios along otherworldliness taken positions helped institutions customs world vital issues The Church eXpectd believers their meauing vertically God participate horizontally society Roman Catholicism religious nstitutions general exist tension between primal otherworldliness their insertion world between worship ethics This basic tension understsmd ambivalence Cathollo social positions Latin American history A focus otherwor ldliness turning energy hopes around acceptance injustice leaving secular institutions responsibility temporal things strange dualism times marked Christian history In constructive emphasis otherworldliness however Catholic believe Church should contemporary problems America forming dynamic religious communities dedicating limited personnel resources strengthening faith adherauts Ths indifference temporal problems rather opposite The hurch institution would speak social problems bcause strong Christians should responsible insightful udgments their contexts consensual voice Of TGS Church A focus llstincti igious qualt Church other tnstitut attracted Cathol assumption Church affect significantly producing individuals strong religiously sanctioned motivation world appropriate For critics ntornal strengthening conviction initiative priority foreseeable future since present theological illiteracy Latin American Cathel makes concerted effort Church adornment expression false social power grounded deely hearts minds Church claims represent The C hurch stress worldly participation faces One especially common instituti position Latin America repre sented transferral concepts formulated problems earlier epochs deply rooted those contexts recent problems where relevance The conservatism Cath61icism stems damentally tendency Church regard norms structures permanent closer reveal contingent The basic cepts Catholic socil thought forged series crises prsecutions Roman Empire chritinlzation Institutons Constantine through iddle Ages accommodation modern nationalism rsistamoe French Revolution rational Liberalism The absence recently dynamic sense history tools torical inclined Church exalt eternal social political norms conditioned solutions Unfortunately Catholics defended permanence these policies profoundly sincere sense responsibility achiewing Christian order within history stress stability could withstand innova tions nlnetenth century twentieth become otally bankrupt Other Catholics however recognizing shortcomings searching creative Church modern Latin America outsiders velopment region hoping Church capaeity motivate influence contribute solving problems personal misery structural underdevelo pment For purposes analysis ishlful aspects Catholicism useful understanding relati Latin American issuer Too often generalize about Catholic position Church doing without making distinctions structure functions Church Three manifestations Catholicism problem thought organization cultural expressions The chief source thought ofthe Church public matters modern times called social encyclicals Especially since Pope Leo XIII range political social economic problems faithful Catholics tried ground their actions principles suggestions found there Papal thought however several characterlsttos limit effectiveness guidihg Catholics toward effective action contemporary problems First encyclicals reflect outlookand problems faced Church which appeared The value precedents directed European issues Latin America dubious Second reresent clear process reaching through compromise competing posit pressures reflecting liabilities would expect consensual formulation opinion Advanced creative decisiveaction finds itself restricted constant middleness sophisticated papal statements Although Church positions social justice Pope John XXIII Magistra development while Pob rulVI sopulorum ProAs treated detail since Wrld War I regarded fundamental problem tithe Thus aching Church represent advan tends ongeal generality Catholics agreement problems already occupying attention aginative people Third since encyclicsls deoend their authority large adition instances inhibit totally fresh confrontation roblems The Christian ethnical norms experiences permanent Vance geerations storical reflection indispensable source wisdom present absolutlzation disastrous The almost uuiversal isappointment greeted promulgation Pc Paul VI Humanae Vitae stems contrast between oriti acceptanee tradi B Pontiff commonly acceoted convictions tional sexuality populate_on planniug development among thoughtful Catholics Finally compromise position dependence tradition papal teaohin vague generalizations under which retrograde shelter Theoretically limited principles encyclicals specificity change sharply views individuals In addition papal encyclicals Latin American national regional bodies bishops issued documents helped articulate Catholic consensus geographical level these statements suffer exactly limitations taching their orientation spific problems times contributed greater concreteness examples effectiveness being nstionl hisrarehy Chile bishops Northeast Brazil Despite these eservations thought C hurch served useful functions recent years Latin America One interns L support Catholics adopting somewhat verse strategies believe development greater social justice neeessary In struggl moderniziag elites against conservative teaching arrived often provi welcome sanction In eases genuinely influenced priests laymen change their thought probably alert intelligent Externally Catholic thought represented segment growig public consciousness questioned bases Latin American umderdevelopment looked solutions Anyone continues speak Church being retrograde relation other insti tutions Lttn America simply reveals ignorance On official level teaching Church unquesti onably supports progressive change Perhaps important precondition resolution Latin America problems creation climate critical preent changed future socio psychological phenomenon usually escaped scrutiny technical analyses development which ever_ the_less indispensable The Church given insights TGS technical aspects economic development function since joined positions political parti university student movements professionl organizations labor unions other grous strengthen climate A realistic assessment Church teaching should acknoledge important contribution Catholic public oplnio without flling pretension which often fostered teaching itself spokesmen Church determinativ orienting influence contemporary awakening sciousnes Latin America A second useful distinctions linked sructure Church differen roles bishops clergy laity Status Church ambiguous higher broader influence restricted Although small number bishop Latin America exceptionally effective inovators progressive realized their personal convictions should alienate conservative Catholics their dioceses The bishop rfleet pogressi tendencies consensus Church carry policies promoting symbolizes unity harmony pattern accordingly The ckered picture Church effectiveness Latin Amer problems stones lative enthusiasm retic various bishops implement progressive elements Church teaching A priest paris maintain confidence bishop opportuni clerg fulfill special functi enabl dvelop innovating theological andsoci views unreservedly segments society against others In Brazil Chile Latin American Church acted impressively priests religious orders those associated Catholic Action almost without exception provided clerical vanguard It Worth noting Msgr Hlder O4mara really innovating bishops Latin America auxiliar bisho Rio Janeiro freed ordinary diocesan responsibilities dedicate hmself Catholic Action Nati Conference Brazilian Brazil Dominicans Chil Jesuits traditionally intellectual orders rovided theoretical laymen We should however countries tradition theology philosophy From leading Latin American religious thinker priest layman Brazilian Alceu Amoroso Lima laymen Chile associated Christian Democratic movement became leading dfenders homlsm transitory stage theoretical renewal social concern Catholicism The cooperation laymen restructuring Latin American atholicim suggests msefulness concept innovating modernizing elltes Th Catholic Church functions other comprehensive institutions overwhelming major members follow customary conventional patterns while ideas small criticsl group The image dynamism Catholic thought action stems large these innovating elites Church general The question raise future relationship elites Church especially light imoact culture religion So called culture C atholicism lower class uneducated rural eople upper middle classes Catholicism educated people predominantly reflection class cultural interests Much concern Church Latin America reflects confidence capacity Catholicism overcome impact society religion which since Durkhim regard universal More likely would permanence sophisticated elite laymen priests alongside eonvent Catholicism Latin America However these innovating greps constitute interesting dynamic manifestati Latin American Catholicism today Our third distinction refers cultural expressions defined paragraph If innovating elites provide basis positive uation Latin American Catholicism cultural formsr source frequently heard chargess superstt consrvatisin separation between religion morality Culture Catholicism exists levels Church The unwillingness priests bishops example follow through modernization suggested Vatican Council derives tieir icaacity overcome influence tradition social factors impinge The religious sanction structures values inimical development stems tradition culture teaching Church When speak Latin American Catholicism often referring common cultural forms should clear In recent years information majority manifestation Church enhanced sociological studies connection pastoral plans different countries which eBcomassed matters beliefs practices social views Culture Catholics contribute modernizing attitudes Church inasmuch subject uences other sources For example often modern concepts pluralistic nature society relation between religious morality public family planning because absorbed culture It unlikely context recent papal tition traditional forms family panning effect those areas where there strong social consciousness among Catholics others desirability contraception With these distinctions question modernization This relative concept since modern period becomes outmoded subsequent Often think modrnSma means focus certain political economic cultural charao terSsttcs developed countries socially historically ethnocentric procedure cause embarrassment generation Width nevertheless propose moderniza Latin American Catholic hurch under headings I Internal theological modernization II The relationship Church other groups society pluralism III The relationship justice social change development IV Motivation ndividual action I Internal theological modernization problem universal without Catholics Latin America flexib confront region problems The formulation theology responsibility Catholics themselves suggest certain reGuisites modern Unquestionably chief adequacy traditional thought story Fortunately Catholic thinkers Latin merica elswhie extremely aware inescapability issues development modernization social change rogress point directly historicl processeshas given urgency their reflection The great interes Hegel Marx among philosophical ologians Brazilian Fr Henrique C Lima Vaz superior Centro Bellarmino Chile Ft Arturo Gaete smbolio historical focus apnropri ation categories biblical theology Teilhard Chardin The decline interest Thomism among sophisticated Catholic thiners today stems largely quest dynamic storical framework which incorporate essential Catholic concepts A modern ology history would allow following A sense permanence which incinat Catholic thought institutionalization timeless norms overcome A consciousness historical relativism which careful disti nction between iversal theological their historical embodiments formulated A dialectical change avoid simple views progress utopian social answers A theological prerequisite recognition psychological sociological conditioning thinking action Church Both psychology sociology disciplines accepted Church little applied inner functioning Catholic thought breathes atmosphere transcendence above conditioning affects ordinary An awareness psychological cultural lizitation popes shops priests Catholics general would realisti criticism would Church effective understanding itself possible Latin American society Espeoialy Catholic needs incorporate contributions psychology sociology since continues based faculty psychology gives undue emFhasis independent reason human functioning Third Catholic theology should adopt structure imcorpozate fully views modern science While possible within itional distinction nature supernature Thomism vogue Teilhard already indicates Catholics Thomism inadequate taken itself Whil critical theologiaus Church aware these issues Latin Americans training undertake important theoretical renovation Usually Latin Americans simply accept ideas Europe Confrontation problems dsvelopment change struggle underdeveloped world however given Latin Americans prspeotlve which contribute greater flexibility realism within Church whole Their difficulties imported social principles helped understand cultural conditioning magisterlum Church Catholics Other critical people recognize caunot simply transfer models TGS whether refer social development radically different parts world without cation ecently Uruguayan Jesuit Fr Juan Lu Segundo among others proposed necessity Latin American theology II We discuss meaningfully modernization Church relation other groups society From colonial Church monopoly education culture The deterioration position through diversity secularization Church through strate adjusting tolerat changes idealizing With Vati Council opening other points dealogue accept religious freedom Church foundation complete rethinking society Changes however immediately clear La American Catholics fully understand meaning pluralism Pluralism modern world associ appearance diverse ligious groups secularization This definitions following germane discussion The decline conse religious among large segments population asmenencounterdiversephilosophicalalternateves andpressure toward religious conformity diminishes The assumption public religious ageno prime responsibility unity education culture values The change legitimation science economics education polities family social phenomena traditional religleusly sanctioned norms patterns rational utilitarian What effect Church According Professor Gino Germani essential condition development religion acquire sphere ought transformed pecealized institution requirement series consequences especially respec other implications development example field family position woman science individual values Pol sociedad pocad trslcin Buenos Aires Paidos M0 S wecpoint following rections Th Church moves being dominant value cultural society group among minority While Latin Americans continue formal relation Catholiolsm number dynamic Catholics distinct minority conscious Oatholios increase In contribution social consensus national values Church organized atholics speak attitude dialogue cooperation other groups rather guide orienter interpreter natural society This means values policies society natural pragmatic consensual eisions Pope Paul VI admonition governments avoid population polici conform _Church moral positon represents backward modern realistic pluralism significant segments atholic Church sufficiently modern though evade inore encyclical The Church should training laymen promote Catholic values society through organizations Ghristian inspiration athollc participation pragmatically derived policies secular organizations As essays suggested sense pluralism steadily growing Catholic circles Latin America The excessive ntion given United States Oathollc progressive movements Chile however TGS I4 obscured social strategy there represents important stage trausition Its concet pluralism organ izatioo Christian inspiration consistent modern Church Catholics Chile recognize among bishops priests Centro Bellarmino Christian Democrats witnessing evolution pluralistic direction Such evolution requires matuit2 criticism rarely found institutions To achieve Church surmount certaln temptations Th quest Catholic Christian solution distiuct other answers problems society In pluralistic world Catholic ideologies views development justice society either theory practice divisive Latin American Cathol realize share aspirations analyses strategies Catholics desire formulate CathoIc answers world partly Catholic A rejection contr bution pluralistic atheists Marxists A traditional Catholic belief without belief God cannot function ethically resoonsibly slowly being overcome The attempt maintain Catholi morality society whole The Church learn width socially accepted behavior carts norms Divorce become symbol maturation III The Church through actions thinking bshops priests laymen contributed change justice development The useful consistent primary religious orientation exoectations modern pluralistic society prophetism sense social criticism Unfortunately adequately recognized outside observers because tended focus Christendom Chile In stemmed North American inclination judgments Cold War considerations because little illuminate important contribution Brazilian Church thinking Latin American Catholicism which smaller number American observers In Portuguese rather Spanish materials Prophetism avoids fundamental errors Church public pronouncements Latin America defend interests instead focusing basic problems society Catholie answers orientations pluralistic society Prophetsm defend Church condemns technical solutions questions Rather isolates criticises onditions which inhibit physical cultural political lfillment insisting individuals organizations government something about Misery discrimination permanent features human existence within foreseeable future provide ample field Church other groups Brazilian Church leaders effectivel recognized Recently writing Chilean journal ensaje I activity clergy activity rophets preach demands truth justice words actions This meaus priest ought people denounce injustices ruggle concretely defense human rights Prncisco Aramaic Cul papel Iglesia Brasil _ensae XVII July Since signlficanee Dom Hlder Cmara recently brought TGS question because charitable projects lioitations economics important indicate ongoing impact Brazil Latin America embodiment prophetism Spokesmen Chnara Church Brazil esteemed defender democrat processes student movement labor unions radicl social change developmental policy aimed overcoming poverty depende Adoption prophetic orientation dangers Becaue represents judgment situat standpoint ideal norms human existence incline toward ghteousness ut0pianlsm impati moving technics programs develop The major Brazilia representatives outlook fortun ately developed their concern atmos im_rgnated discussion development Their critic alway combined Insstenc government develo rograms stress incorporation backward regions attention needs entire population Other Brazilian Catholics those influenced other countries succumbed Amrlcan reutionary programs little contact possible While criticism American domnatio Latin America violence possibility necessary ingredients profound analysis region simplistic interpretation neglects rootage roblems within Latin America itself offers revolution contexts where other political otions development succeed In Latin America prophetism closely linked conscientizacion Whi movements contexts close practice conscient ization clarity centrality which certain Latin American Catholics given concept makes important contribution ethics social developm change Conscientizacion grows struggle hristisms contribute mctively development manner promotes human expression while akling Catholic orientation pluralistic society It acknowledges technical character economic development necessarily limits decision making small number qualified people viewing development political social cultural process affirms concerned person contribute awakening populati participate It humanistic without indicating C Church prone humauism It stimulates organization cooperation without presupposing before structures popular action A second Way which hurch contributed development through inn_0vation projects became models later society action The awakening consciousness nature necessity development consuming process Latin America lasted Public awareness contri bution various programs development varied intensity governments often could action because funds technical assistance In instances Catholics moved neglected areas pilot projects experimental action In Chile example Jesuit priests fifties initiative rural unionization dioceses Talca Santiago donated their lauds first agrariau rform Father Alejandro Coro stimulated construction housin among Father Roger Vekemaus bases forprograms popular promotion orgauizatioo dwellers All these experiments stiaulated interest problems which dealt predominantly I0_ TGS handled public agencies continued supplementation Church other private groups Another which Church worked effectively especially olombia Brazil literacy vocational education While Chu ambiguous toward change Lan Amerie society general instances Church persons interested resources society could would This activity danger namely Catholics hesitate accept later action government other groups areas where initiated Churchmen still suspicion govern mental action consequence principle subsidiarity The Church antor subordi grous against domination state In however government represents public Broader scale moder Chu represents segment I America fmture development intimately linked ppearance strong governments which pursue policies necessary carry models engage socety planning Third Church legitimate change development There sides sanction cessity chsmge development achieve being Latin America promotion acceptance reforms developm actions established The first implies validation change phenomenon second sanction forms organization The Church through leading spokesmen teaeh action already committed tself chauges leading greater equality opportunity popular participation economic development It especi emphasized achieving these wStheut violence through cooperation reason harmony According sooielogists relSgion function religion society sanction legitimation values structures Usually function conceived terms order unity What America somewhat diffez situation There underdeveleped nations general analyses social structure functions often They incorporate strong emphases socis change superseded aualyses centered change transition instead relative equilibrium If legitimacy suggestion Church might regarded institution giving legitimation ethical Sanction development The Church responsible validates change stable eties legitimizes order unity The commitment Church change however resulted dialectical achieved In official statements bishops history usually regarded orderly progressive rational while nothing abhorwent class struggle Catholios trying remedy Some influenced Marx sociologista Dahrendorf The decision Camilo Torres young Colombian priest sociologist became guerrillero stimulated reflection nature revolution lioitness violence Catholic young people Latin America strongly influenced motifs imperialism dependence struggle All these themes expected increase significance enriching Catholic historical change The Church imlzed changes reforms TGS Ii instituted In uneasy period following innovations agrarian reform Church helped promote public acceptance In cause Church believes reflectS permanent disorder With least sypathy Church spokesmen sanctioned military coups Brazil Argentina Consistently however Latin Amer Catholic leaders realize social stability achieved through development greater justice oopular participation Historically Church social integrating function rarely functioned daring innovation degree realism The constructive social legitimation structures negative counte tendency Catholics envision easily societies To replace utopianism utopianism future usually articulated cooperativism communtarianism toward which mankind headed which achieved apparently hstorical change Progressive Catholics worked radical ithout being utopiau effectively discovered coercion equilibria achievement robably always relative justice Finally Church contributed modernization development Latin America roviding framework mesming which indoviduals could participate integroty vigor While Church given guidance since those faithful concerned social justice dealt economic develo Cs tholics especially youth already commtted hemzelves formed organizations dealing For these innovators fofties their Catholicism anything irrelevant They sense schism between reoccu ations leaders reality which trying Catholicism decisive anyway As looking world participation sychological coherence humsmism aropriate strange models overcoming misery backwardness structure organizations which could concerns others develo their leadershi qualities The aualyses adopted large common reflections Latin American intellectuals after Wora War II richness Christian teaching tradition found elements strengthened their conviction legitimation Catholics contr buted exceptional Latin America modernizing elites continue other reason effect Catholic developing discipline conviction integrity This activism based ethical ction product Catholic interpretation religion expre itself multiple forms revolution evolution If Christian tradition Catholi insisted onunity given children freedom diversity It would mistake Catholic Church achieve encompassing social Latin America Allowance diversity essential given different roles individuals within ecclesiastical structure different temperaments vocations Christians multiple contexts problems countries regions Unfortunately initiative human spirit often stated TG I4 terms training leaders oriemtation according Christian principles This external conformist finition obscures mysterious interior mixture divine relationship ethical dissatisfaction flowered creatiV expression Christianity ambiguous relationship social institutions problems history Received New York August