Category Archives: John Donaghy

In paragraphs 34-87 the bishops have analyzed the situation of Latin America and the Caribbean largely in terms of the problems and prospects of globalization. Virgilio Elizondo in America in January 2008, wrote: “Globalization became a prism for the deliberations … Continue reading →

I was surprised to find the bishops writing about ice fields. But both Chile and Argentina have recognized claims on parts of Antartica, as well as some disputed claims. Their concerns about shrinking ice fields, which they relate to global … Continue reading →

The Amazon basin is one of the most ecologically rich regions of the earth and has been called the “lungs of the earth.” However, as the bishops note in paragraph 85, citing Pope Benedict XVI, the devastation wreaked on the … Continue reading →

As the bishops analyze the reality facing the Church, they turn to issues related to the environment, but in a very different manner than Western approaches. First of all, in paragraph 83, they relate the question of bio-diversities to the … Continue reading →

The bishops close the section on the socio-political dimension they note the efforts for regional cooperation in paragraph 82: In Latin America and the Caribbean there is a growing desire for regional integration through multilateral agreements, involving a growing number … Continue reading →

The 1980s and 1990s witnessed the peaceful end of armed conflicts in parts of Latin America. The bishops note this in paragraph 81: While peace agreements have been achieved in some countries and longstanding conflicts have been resolved, in others … Continue reading →

In paragraphs 79 and 80, we find a very brief analysis of the political situation in terms of unjust laws and violations of human rights. In paragraph 79, the bishops show that are keenly aware of the difference between justice … Continue reading →

In paragraph 78, the bishops note the rise in violence in the region. Social life, in harmonious and peaceful coexistence, is deteriorating very seriously in many Latin American and Caribbean countries, due to the rise in violence, which takes the … Continue reading →

Paragraph 70 treated corruption in the context of economics. In paragraph 77, the context is the political. The bishops note how corruption has affected all branches of the government: A major negative factor observable in much of the region is … Continue reading →

International financial institutions often place conditions on aid or loans, including “structural adjustments” that at times demand the privatization of public services, the removal of subsidies for basic needs, as well as other conditions that weaken the states’ role in … Continue reading →

Participatory democracy involves more than voting in elections. The bishops see the importance of organized groups that are not part of the government, what is often called civil society. These play a role similar to the “intermediate institutions” that Alexis … Continue reading →

Continuing their analysis of the reality of Latin American and the Caribbean, the bishops turn to the “sociopolitical dimension, ” an analysis which I find rather optimistic. They first treat what they call “authoritarian regimes” in paragraph 74. The Latin … Continue reading →

Not too many years ago, most of the Latin American population lived in rural areas. Currently almost 80% live in urban areas. There are a few exceptions, including Guatemala (50.5% rural), Honduras (48.4% rural) and Haiti (47.9% rural). But Brazil has … Continue reading →