Latin America
Mennonites seek to come to terms with Nazi collaboration
By Ben Goossen — March 16, 2017
FILADELFIA, Paraguay (RNS) Since the end of the Second World War, Mennonite-Nazi collaboration has largely been ignored, forgotten or intentionally repressed by adherents of this Christian denomination that was founded in 16th-century Europe on principles of nonviolence and nonparticipation in politics.
Unlike previous popes, Francis is in no rush to visit his homeland
By Veronica Engler — March 8, 2017
TIGRE, Argentina (RNS) As the first Argentine pontiff approaches the fourth anniversary of his papacy, he still hasn't come back to visit his country of birth. Many of his compatriots appreciate that.
The 50th anniversary of the greatest religious movement few have heard of
By R. Andrew Chesnut — February 20, 2017
(RNS) The Catholic Charismatic Renewal ranks second only to Protestant Pentecostalism among significant new Christian movements to emerge over the past century.
Can a controversial Latin American theology speak to Catholics today?
By Yonat Shimron — February 10, 2017
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. (RNS) By distancing the movement from radical left agendas of the past, theologians today are carving room for new applications of liberationist thought.
Partial decriminalization of abortion in Brazil provokes ire of religious right
By Yonat Shimron — December 1, 2016
RIO DE JANEIRO (RNS) Brazil is home to the world's largest Catholic and Pentecostal population. It also has the highest incidence of abortion, the great majority clandestine.
How ascendant evangelicals helped defeat Colombia’s peace accord
By guest — October 11, 2016
(RNS) While the evangelical right in the U.S. is experiencing steady decline, its counterpart in much of Latin America is a driving force behind the shift to the political right across the region.
Pope welcomes Colombian agreement with rebels
By Josephine McKenna — August 31, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The groundbreaking agreement between the Colombian government and FARC rebels promises to end more than 50 years of violent conflict.
Honduran cardinal warns against aborting Zika fetuses
By David Gibson — February 4, 2016
(RNS) The remarks by Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga are a sign that Catholic leaders in Latin America are worried that fetal abnormalities caused by the virus will be used as leverage to ease the region's generally strict abortion laws.
Unite under the Gospel, Pope Francis tells nearly 1 million in Quito
By Reuters — July 7, 2015
He urged the continent's people to use the Gospel "as a way to unite our hopes, concerns, ideals and even utopian visions."
Pope comes ‘home’ to South America to defend planet and the poor
By Reuters — July 5, 2015
QUITO (Reuters) Tens of thousands lined the streets as Francis' motorcade drove into the city, some pushing through a police line. Well-wishers threw gifts at the popemobile, including two live white doves.
Pope leaves Sunday for Latin America ‘homecoming’ trip
By Rosie Scammell — July 2, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis will depart Sunday (July 5) on a much-anticipated trip to Latin America, seen as a homecoming for the Argentine pontiff and likely to draw attention to key challenges in the region. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio shocked the world in 2013 when he became the first Latin American to be elected […]
Pope Francis meets Chilean president amid debate over easing tough abortion law
By Rosie Scammell — June 5, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis on Friday met Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, while outside in St. Peter’s Square anti-abortion protesters drew attention to one of the most controversial topics up for discussion between the two leaders.
Catholic Church losing ground in Latin America
By Alan Gomez — November 13, 2014
MIAMI (RNS) People gave a wide variety of reasons for abandoning the Catholic Church. The most common answer was people saying they wanted a more personal connection with God.
Kansas City rabbi grows a congregation of Latin American Jews
By Janet Tappin Coelho — January 14, 2014
RIO DE JANEIRO (RNS) Brazilian-born Rabbi Jacques Cukierkorn is catering to a growing number of Latinos who are choosing to convert to Judaism as they abandon the region’s dominant Roman Catholicism.
Pope Francis ushers in a Latin American tourist boom
By Eric J. Lyman — October 28, 2013
ROME (RNS) Among the Latin Americans flocking to Rome, the pope's fellow Argentines are leading the way, with 66 percent more people traveling from the pope’s homeland compared to a year ago.
