The Catholic Church and Politics in Nicaragua and Costa Rica [Paperback]

Unlike most recent studies of the Catholic Church in Latin America, Philip Williams' book sets out ot analyse the Church in two very dissimilar political contexts - Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Despite the obvious differences, Williams argues that in both cases the Church has responded to social change in a remarkably similar fashion. The efforts of progressive clergy to promote change in both countries has been largely blocked in both hierarchs, fearful that such change will threaten the Church's influence in society. Based on extensive first-hand research, this book is a welcome contribution to the current debate over Central America.Acknowledgements Abbreviations Maps PART 1: INTRODUCTION An Institutional Approach to the Church Historical Models of the Church Structure of the Book PART 2: THE CATHOLIC HIERARCHY IN NICARAGUA: ORIGINS AND EVOLUTION Historical Background From Conservative to Reformist Church Conclusions PART 3: ATTEMPTS TO BUILD A GRASSROOTS VHURCH IN NICARAGUA Alternative Pastoral Strategies New Challenges PART 4: THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE NICARAGUAN REVOLUTION Differing Responses to the Revolutionary Process The FSLN and the Catholic Church The Hierarchy in Opposition to the Revolution PART 5: THE EVOLUTION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN COSTA RICA Historical Background Mons. Sanabria and the Origins of a Reformist Church PART 6: THE COSTA RICAN HIERARCHY AND TH ERFORMIST PROJECT The Long Period of Silence The Silence is Broken PART 7: EFFORTS TO TRANSFORM THE CHURCH IN COSTA RICA Early Attempts to Transform the Church Working Within the Structures of the Church Itac Conclusions PART 8: CONCLUSIONS Historical Development of the Two Churches Efforts to Transform the Church in Nicaragua and Costa Rica The Impact of National Political Factors Versus External Influences Notes Bibliography IndexPHILIP J. WILLIAMS is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Northeast Missouri State University. He obtained his first degree at the University of California, Lols%