Guatemala’s Catholic Revolution: A History of Religious and Social Reform, 1920–1968 by Bonar L. Hernández Sandoval

Reviewed by: Guatemala’s Catholic Revolution: A History of Religious and Social Reform, 1920–1968 by Bonar L. Hernández Sandoval Jakob Egeris Thorsen 1920–1968. By Sandoval. (Notre Dame, IN: University Notre Dame Press. 2018. Pp. 254. $50.00. ISBN: 978-0-268-10441-2.) In this compelling book, explores the history Church in Guatemala period between 1920 1960s, i.e., from early liberal dictatorships to “the democratic spring” (1944–54), first decade after CIA-sponsored coup 1954. His purpose is demonstrate how massive social engagement large sectors 1960s onwards was not simply a result changes following Second Vatican Council landmark Conference Latin American Bishops Medellín 1968. Rather, it “propelled institutional renewal rural Catholicism, which date[d] back interwar period, when reconfiguration national international politics created new spaces for Church’s resurgence” (p. 3). affirms that these transformations were initiatives attempted break deadlock Guatemalan anti-clerical governments, since independence 1821 had gradually weakened institution. (In 1920, there only around hundred priests population two million people.) The book divided into six chapters progresses chronologically, makes easily accessible students. chapters, analyzes hitherto unexamined archival sources archdiocese. These show sent envoys expand space ecclesial activity redirect focus conservative clergy away fruitless power struggles with state toward vision Romanized Church. vision, would limit itself religious [End Page 621] realm aim reconstruction strong culture through catechization disciplining laity. third chapter describes Church, under leadership Archbishop Mariano Rossell y Arellano (1939–64), able its activities begin inviting foreign missionaries country. Hundreds sisters United States Europe arrived decades World War II, eventually outnumbering Guatemalan-born religious. primarily highland Maya peoples. From fifth on, narrows Maryknoll their pastoral work. Sources society’s archives Ossining, New York, reveal missionaries’ experience catechizing opposing Costumbre, i.e. custom-based Catholicism included pre-Columbian practices beliefs. work, priests, sisters, catechists increasingly engaged, can be understood light anti-communism Cold post-coup Guatemala. part convincingly demonstrates rise progressive rooted developments went far longer than II conference. last however, seems as if reversing his own argument case Maryknollers, ascribing turn progressiveness—and some cases support revolutionary struggle—as development taking place despite conservatism Here broader approach—one take account landscape 1950s 60s—could have helped develop claim, well-warranted. This observation notwithstanding, an important historio-graphical contribution ends 1968, civil war rising intensity. It hoped will follow up study role tragic recent history...