Conversion And Catholic Missions Flashcards
(14 cards)
Catholic missionary orders
- Franciscans and the Dominicans (13th century)
- jesuits (1540)
- orders will often disagree over the best strategies
- complex interactions with papal agents, different national states and other orders
The New World
- conversion as part of colonisation
- Catholic missionaries can rely on support of Spanish imperial powers
- mass conversions (often forced)
- controversy among missionaries over force
Portuguese Empire
- many costal outposts in Africa and Asia
- large areas of land in Brazil and Southern Africa
- missionaries sometimes negotiate with local powers (Portuguese Macau, 17th century)
India
- Portuguese controlled Goa becomes the hub of Catholic missionary activity in Asia
- religiously diverse society, including Hindus, Muslims and non European Christian’s
- hard to make conversions outside of areas of direct Portuguese control
Missionaries in China
- no political authority
- was dependent on the goodwill of emperors and the court
- controversy among missionaries if Chinese Christian’s should be allowed to continue practising rites such as veneration of ancestors
Catholic Missionaries in Japan
- no politican authority, reliant on goodwill of political authorities
- initial considerable success by early 17th century incidence large numbers
- from later 16th century, authorities became significantly concerned of Catholicism
- 1638, violent suppression of revolt, Christianity goes into hiding
Missionaries in the Ottoman Empire
- no political power
- forbidden from trying to convert Muslims
- restrictions on building new churches
- focus on converting Greek Orthodox and eastern Christian’s
What does conversion mean?
- to change official/ public religious political affiliation
- an internal change in beliefs and values
- change to practices, rituals and community membership
Why would people convert?
- a sincere change of beliefs, promote by religious education
- a perceived socio-economic benefit
- social pressure or colonial pressure
- an escape from slavery or sufferings
Is it really conversion if?
- forcibly baptised
- convert without understanding what is involved
- convert for socio-economic reasons rather than a sincere change of heart
- you change religion but still practice old customs
Conversion for socio-economic change
- Paravas were facing trouble and persecution from local Muslims
- Joao de Cruz told them he knew no other remedy than to turn to the king of heaven for help
- since they were Christian’s, Portuguese would offer naval help if they accepted help
What was the approach to conversion in Asia?
China - Matteo Ricci adopted a strategy of cultural accomodation, learnt Chinese, wore scholar robes, engaged in conversation with scholars in science
India - Paravas like Francis Xavier were more direct in preachings but also adapted by supporting local Christian communities and learning languages
Japan - targeted the Samurai and Daimyo classes, hoping to influence society from top down, suspicion of foreign influence led to persecution
What was the approach to conversion in The Americas?
Mass conversion - Franciscans and Jesuits focused on mass conversion of indigenous populations, sometimes with the aid of colonial authorities
Destruction of Native Religions - unlike in Asia, was often suppression of native rituals, temples destroyed or converted into churches
Ex. December 1512. Known as the Laws of Burgos, these thirty-five statutes set strict guidelines for the treatment of the natives of the indies, Laws of Burgos outlawed the direct punishment of natives by anyone other than an appointed official, set limits on the amount of work could do
What was the approach to conversion in Africa?
Focus on Costal Regions - catholic missionary efforts in Africa were limited to areas like Congo and Angola. Converts were often local rulers or elites
Cultural Challenges and Intermittent Success - missionaries faced linguistic and cultural barriers,, and while some communities embraced Christianity, long term success was limited due to to weak institutional structures
Ex. By 1517, 2/3 of the Hispaniola population was African
