DOI: 10.25136/2409-8671.2020.3.34023

Abstract: In recent years, the role of protestant churches in the political life of Latin American countries has significantly grown. We can even talk about a specific regional phenomenon. The research object in this article is the modern political activity of Protestant churches in the region, and the research object is Latin American society. The author analyzes the participation of religious institutions in the latest electoral period of 2018 - 2019 using the example of presidential campaigns in Brazil and Mexico. Special attention is given to the fact that churches are becoming the subjects of political process influencing the reformation of public opinion and providing the secular authorities with massive support. The author concludes that during the presidential election in Brazil the largest local evangelical Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (IURD) gave significant support to the far-right candidate J. Bolsonaro, while in Mexico, the victory of the center-left politician López Obrador wouldn’t be possible without the active participation of the National Association of Evangelical Christian Churches (Confraternice). This Mexican politician has become the first democratically-elected leftist president. Of particular interest is also the analysis of internal and foreign policy of the leaders of Brazil and Mexico supported by the local evangelical communities. The topicality of the scientific problem is determined by the fact that in terms of a crisis of traditional political ideologies, economic and humanitarian crisis, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, religion is becoming the only secure basis, and the influence of its cults on the formation of public opinion will be undoubtedly growing.   

DOI: 10.25136/2409-8671.2019.3.30440

Abstract: Recently, the political presence of Protestant churches in the region has risen significantly. It was proven during the tense election campaign of 2018 - 2019, which demonstrated a high level of political polarization of society. The campaign resulted in the election of the rightist candidates, supported by Protestant communities, as presidents of several countries in Latin America. The sudden rise of Protestant churches was promoted by insufficient work of Catholic Church with the population and the crisis of the leftist parties. Whereas just a while ago Protestant churches limited their political invasion to the local level, today they set larger objectives and influence the results of presidential elections. As the traditional electorate of the rightist parties are the representatives of the upper class, they can’t count on the significant support of the electorate. While Protestant churches solve the biggest political problem of the rightist parties - provide them with the votes of the lower classes and transform them from the elitist to people’s parties. Thus, the author concludes that the new wave of the ‘rightist turmoil’ in Latin America was caused, among other things, by the activity of Protestant churches. The significant influence of these churches in the political life of Latin America can also be considered as a specific regional phenomenon.   

DOI: 10.25136/2409-8671.2018.3.26800

Abstract: The article attempts to identify the modern political role of the Catholic Church in the region by the example of the analysis of the Vatican's relations with the governments of Latin American countries of "socialism of the XXI century". For this purpose, the author considers not only foreign policy events, but also internal processes occurring in the Vatican. For instance, the election of the new Pope Francis - a Jesuit and Argentine, as well as the election, for the first time in the history, of a new General of the Order of Jesuits A. Sosa -Venezuelan by origin - and the appointment of P. Parolin to the post of Secretary of the Holy See, whose professional path was also connected with Venezuela. In this regard, the issue of the influence of the ideas of liberation theology on the development of the ideological program of the left governments of Latin American countries is of scientific interest. At the same time, many Catholic prelates that influence the crisis political events in the region remain in opposition to the left-wing governments. The study of the above contradiction is highly relevant. The scientific novelty of the topic is determined by the increasing influence of the Roman Catholic Church not only on external but also domestic political events in Latin America.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-868X.2017.6.22363

Abstract: The goal of this article consists in the attempt to prove that the Society of Jesus, which was created for the purpose of fighting the ideas of Reformation 477 year ago, did not lose its significance in modern world and continues to assert the Christian ideals and resolve new challenges faced by humanity in the XXI century, including the threat of a new world war, international terrorism, loss of moral and ethical values, lack of resources, and at the same time, reckless consumption, impose of the values of individualism and intense rivalry. The subject of this research is the ideology of the Society of Jesus and arising from it domestic and foreign policy of its successors. The article analyzes broad material regarding the life and activity of the Roman Catholic Church as a whole, and Society of Jesus in particular over the period of the late XX – early XXI centuries. Special attention is given to such issues as: struggle of the Society of Jesus against their ideological opponents - Masonic lodges, "Opus Dei" and liberalism; search for the allies for protection of humanistic ideals and a fair economic system, among different political powers and traditional religions, as well as atheists – the supporters of the Communist values and Marxist ideology. The scientific novelty consists in the comprehensive examination of the modern political role of Society of Jesus in Vatican and internationally. The aforementioned questions become especially relevant due to the anniversary dates that fall onto the second half of 2017: the 500th anniversary of Reformation, 30th  anniversary of the Masonic Grande Lodge, and 100th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution.