The Catholic Effervescence: Catholic Church, Society and Politics in Argentina between 1955 and 1976

The following paper addresses a complex period in Argentine history spanning from the coup d'etat against Juan Domingo Peron in 1955 to the onset of the last dictatorship, known as the Proceso de Reorganizacion Nacional, in 1976. It also explores the intricate role of the Catholic Church, which, with the latest development of religious historiography, has been acknowledged as a multifaceted, complex agent in a process of change where the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) seemed to disrupt the established order. Beyond the ecclesiastical hierarchy, which received the most attention from scholars, it encompasses other voices, such as priests, laypeople, and religious women. The primary objective is to examine how the Catholic Church interpreted the social, cultural, and political changes, as well as the conflicts of the 1960s and 1970s, in order to understand its internal diversity and how it was impacted by internal secularization, understood as the erosion of the legitimacy of religious authority.

Automated summary

This paper addresses a complex period in Argentine history, including coup d'etats and dictatorship, and explores the intricate role of the Catholic Church. The primary objective is to examine how the Catholic Church interpreted social, cultural, and political changes, and to understand its internal diversity and impact of internal secularization.