COUNTRY
ArgentinaPOPULATION
42,192,494 (July 2012 est.)GDP PER CAPITA
$17,700 (2011 est.)RELIGIONS
nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%AT THE CENTER
RELATED RESOURCES
PEOPLE (7)
QUOTES (7)
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner on the Catholic Church's Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage
July 13, 2010
Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio on Same-Sex Marriage Bill in Argentina
July 8, 2010
Nestor Kirchner on Priests during the Dirty War at a Ceremony in La Plata
July 5, 2007
July 13, 2010
Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio on Same-Sex Marriage Bill in Argentina
July 8, 2010
Nestor Kirchner on Priests during the Dirty War at a Ceremony in La Plata
July 5, 2007
PUBLICATIONS (2)
Argentina
Organizations (10)
The society, culture, and politics of Argentina are deeply imbued with Roman Catholicism. The Church’s place in Argentine national identity, which spans across the ideological spectrum, stems from the perpetual ability of Argentines on different sides of political and social divides to find some level of support in the Church. The Church solidified its hold on the territory of modern-day Argentina during the period of Spanish colonial rule from the 16th to early 19th centuries. Church leaders variously supported and opposed the policies of Juan Perón (1946-55) and the violent tactics of the Dirty War (1976-83). Roman Catholicism remains the official religion of the state and Catholic representatives take part in many state functions. Freedom of religion is also guaranteed by the Constitution. Today, areas of Church-State contention include contraception, economic policies, and the disputed involvement of the Church in the Dirty War. Around 90% of Argentines self-identify as Catholic, though only 20% practice their faith on a regular basis.
The Centro Cultural Islámico Rey Fahd (King Fahd Islamic Cultural Center) opened in 2000 and became the largest mosque and Islamic cultural center in South America. Funded by the Saudi government, the cultural center was first proposed in the 1970s, but began construction during the presidency of former President Carlos Ménem (1989-99), whose ancestors were Syrian Muslims (though he himself is Catholic). The Center contains large prayer spaces for men and women, two schools, and a library for...
The Delegation of Argentine Jewish Associations (DAIA) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to representing the interests of the Jewish community in Argentina. The DAIA focuses on Holocaust remembrance, documentation of anti-Semitism, the protection of human rights, educational programs to promote acceptance of pluralism and diversity, legal efforts to fight discrimination against Jews, and political lobbying to represent Jewish interests. The DAIA runs several offices, including a...
Obra Claretiana para el Desarrollo (OCLADE) was founded in 1983 by the Claretianos, a Catholic missionary order, to lead social welfare and development activities in Northwestern Argentina around the city of Iruyo. The organization relies primarily on volunteers and receives funding from both Catholic and Protestant groups as well as non-religious development funds. It also cooperates with the Argentinian Ministry of Social Development on various projects, including community kitchens and...
The Servicio Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice Service) is an organization inspired by Christian doctrine to strengthen social organizations and aid the poor and working populations of Latin America. It aims to bring about social transformation through non-violence, and has offices in over a dozen countries in the region. Since its founding in 1974 its purpose has evolved to meet emerging challenges. Most famously, when faced with human rights violations in Argentina, SERPAJ acted to help the...
The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo (Madres de la Plaza de Mayo) are a group of women who lost their children during the military dictatorship in Argentina (1976-83). For three decades, this group has fought for the return of their children, who were among the "disappeared" in this terrible period of their country's history. The protests began in April 1977 when 14 mothers gathered in front of the Casa Rosada (presidential palace) in Buenos Aires' "Plaza de Mayo." Today the mission of the group...
The Argentine Episcopal Conference (Conferencia Episcopal de Argentina) is the national body of bishops (the Papal Nuncio is also a member) and a branch of the Roman Catholic Church across South and Central America. Episcopal commissions exist on a variety of subjects within the conference, including Faith and Culture, Liturgy, Catholic Education, Ministries, Pastoral Care, and Social Communication. The country is divided into eight pastoral regions, each overseen by one member of the...
Catholic Relief Services, founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States, is the official international relief and development agency of the U.S. Catholic community. Its mission is to assist the poor and disadvantaged, leveraging the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to alleviate human suffering, promote development of all people, and to foster charity and justice throughout the world. Up to 2005, CRS operates on five continents and in 99 countries. Funding for the...
Catholic Relief Services, founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States, is the official international relief and development agency of the U.S. Catholic community. Its mission is to assist the poor and disadvantaged, leveraging the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to alleviate human suffering, promote development of all people, and to foster charity and justice throughout the world. CRS operates on five continents and in 99 countries with an operating budget of...
The relief and development affiliate of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) oversees community development, disaster relief, and networking and advocacy activities in over 30 countries worldwide. CRWRC's "Free A Family" community development program combines the personal connection of child sponsorship with the broader impact of community-wide programming, and other initiatives stress local involvement and indigenous partners....
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was launched in 1961 to administer United States foreign aid programs and grew out of the Marshall Plan and the Truman Administration's Point Four Program. With programs and partnerships around the world, USAID works to further U.S. foreign policy promoting democracy and free markets while improving the lives of peoples in the developing world. Program areas include agriculture, governance, the environment, education, global...