Roman Catholicism in Latin America

Term Paper # 104671

An analysis of the history and practices of Roman Catholicism and the impact it has had in Latin America and the world at large.

1,938 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Roman Catholicism and what it means to the people of Latin America with whom the writer has come into contact. It first outlines the basic principles, beliefs and practices of Roman Catholicism. It then looks at the ethics, institutional structure, doctrines, rituals and key institutional figures (leaders) within the Church. The paper also discusses the role of history in shaping the faith and the role of religion in the lives of its followers and its concomitant impact on the world at large.

From the Paper:

"As this paper draws to a close, it is pretty evident that Roman Catholicism has played a major role in the lives of the Latin Americans I have met within and without the United States. For one thing, these people believe strongly in family and also believe strongly in the sanctity of life; several of them, in fact, told me that they could not fathom how the euthanasia debate could continue to persist after all this time. For these men and women, child-bearing is a wonderful instance of God's Grace and they seem content to focus upon family rather than upon simply achieving more material possessions. In a real sense, they have eschewed a materialistic lifestyle for something they believe is more enduring."

Sample of Sources Used:

British Broadcasting Corporation. "Roman Catholic Church." Religion & Ethics: Christianity. 2007. British Broadcasting Corporation. 19 Jun. 2007 <http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/catholic/>
"Columbia Encyclopedia: Roman Catholic Church." Roman Catholic Church: Definitions and much, much more from Answers.com. 2007. Answers Corporation. 19 Jun. 2007 <http://www.answers.com/topic/roman-catholic-church?cat=entertainment>
"The Roman Catholic Church." The Roman Catholic Church: Structure. N.d. St. Martin's College, Lancaster (UK). 19 Jun. 2007 <http://re-xs.ucsm.ac.uk/gcsere/revision/xtianity/ch2/1/4.html>
"Sacraments of the Catholic Church." Sacraments of the Catholic Church: Information from Answers.com. 2007. Answers Corporation. 19 Jun. 2007 <http://www.answers.com/topic/sacraments-of-the-catholic-church>

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APA Citation:

Roman Catholicism in Latin America (2012, January 15). Retrieved February 10, 2012, from http://www.academon.com/Term-Paper-Roman-Catholicism-in-Latin-America/104671

MLA Citation:

"Roman Catholicism in Latin America" 15 January 2012. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. <http://www.academon.com/Term-Paper-Roman-Catholicism-in-Latin-America/104671>