Separation of Church and State in Latin America Essay -- Religion Gove

Separation of Church and State in Latin America Throughout Latin American history, the Roman Catholic Church has played a tumultuous role, from passive "soul saving" to aggressive revolutionary actions. As the countries have turned toward democracy the Catholic Church has had to recognize that along with modernization comes the promotion of two democratic ideals: the separation of Church and State and the endorsement of secularization. While many countries are still working toward a separation of Church and State, Costa Rica, a long-time democratic country, has continued to recognize Roman Catholicism as the official religion of the country and to look to church and clergy for support. Though the Costa Rican Church is removed from the political spotlight, it has not backed down from its doctrine and goals, and the Church and State have created a unique relationship that seems to benefit all peoples. Although the Catholic Church has varied somewhat throughout different parts of the world, the fundamental doctrines regarding social and behavioral expectations have remained relatively untouched. The ideals of tradition and purity still resound within the walls of Catholic churches everywhere. Catholicism is a religion based on ritual with precise words that are to be recited at every mass, baptism, communion, confession, and marriage ceremony. The only ingredient a good Catholic needs in order to share in these traditions and gifts of God is faith. Fortunately, the Church has formulated a number of rules to guide its followers down the difficult path to true faith. Like most Christian religions, the Catholic faith centers its beliefs on the Bible and the teachings of the early Church fathers. Certain parables are extracted ... ... Harold D. ed. Costa Rica: A Country Study, United States Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1983 Peeler, John A. Latin American Democracies, The University of North Carolina Press, 1985 Pope John Paul II. Opening Address at the Puebla Conference. January 28, 1979 Schall, James V. Liberation Theology, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 1982 Szulc, Tad. Pope John Paul II: The Biography, Scribner, New York, 1995 Tapscott, Stephen ed. Twentieth-Century Latin American Poetry, University of Texas Press, Austin, 1996 Wesson, Robert. Politics, Policies, and Economic Development in Latin America, Hoover Institution Press, Stanford, California, 1984 Winn, Peter. Americas: The Changing Face of Latin America and The Caribbean, Pathean Books, New York, 1992 The Merriam Webster Dictionary, Merriam Webster Incorporated, Springfield, Massachusetts, 1994