Paraguayan Indigenism since Barbados I . The Catholic Church and Indigenous Peoples in Paraguay

Abstract

One of the actors in the field of Paraguayan indigenism is the Catholic Church. The article focuses on relations between the Catholic Church and indigenous peoples in reference to the Declaration of Barbados I (1971). The Declaration, as well as the Document of Asunción (1972), had a game-changing impact on Paraguayan indigenism. Its “fruits” include the Marandú Project and the subsequent legal struggle for indigenous land rights. Both documents also inspired new legislation, such as the Statute on Indigenous Communities, the Law 904/81, the new Paraguayan National Constitution of 1992, the Indigenous Education Law 3231/07 and the Indigenous Health Law 5,469/15 - with their respective regulations. The Catholic Church significantly contributed also to the political and legal process of promoting autonomy and self-determination of indigenous peoples of Paraguay. Furthermore, the author also discusses the missionary project of formation of indigenous leadership in the shifting political and social settings. The resulting introduction of an intercultural diploma for native teachers and legal training for elected indigenous leaders help to face new challenges to economic and religious life of native communities, especially in urban contexts.