CIA STUDY ON THE CHURCH IN LATIN AMERICA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-2-1-34-0
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: November 16, 2009
• Sequence Number: 34
• Publication Date: July 18, 1969
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2009/11/16: LOC-HAK-2-1-34-0
,Afy c Q. /
9
SECRET
OPANDW4 FO DL KISSINGER
FROM:
P. Vaky
SULTECTI CRA Study on the Churc
CIA has just provided a good memorandum analysing overall
the church's role in /Artie Americas' development. I think it
Is * geed first step toward providing the kind of insight
If not the fully detailed picture 4. that would interest the
President.
CIA La andertak g an analysis on the subject ivblch will include
country-hy.eoustry appraisals, as requested by the President
during the ?WC meeting. This will require sense additional
Wee. however, and I think that in the meantime the attached
memorandum would be interesting reading for the Presideet.
That
VPVaitylvnest
the
SECRET
orazLdum to the
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2009/11/16: LOC-HAK-2-1-34-0
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2009/11/16: LOC-HAK-2-1-34-0
SECRET
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
ROM: Henry A. Kissinger
SITBJECT: CIA Study on the Church in Latin America
nor. i_imit,i,Lase
y
During your conversation with Colombian President Lleras, and again
at the NSC Meeting on July 9, you requested a study on the church in
Latin America. CIA is preparing a detailed study, including country
by-country appraisals. In the meantime, however, CIA's Office of
National Estimates has prepared an excellent general paper entitled
"The Church and Change in Latin America." I enclose a copy at Tab A
since I think it La it good first step in providing the kind of insight which
would interest you.
Very Writer. the CIA paper makes the following points:
The conversion of the Roman Catholic Church in Latin America
from a staunch defender of the established order to an outspoken
advocate and agent of social change has been a dramatic develop-
ment.
-- This change in the church is partly a response to the growing
pressures for change operating throughout the area, end partly
a reflection of the guidance and pressures from the Vatican and
from new currents within Catholicism itself.
-- Th. progressive clerics are gaining influence in national and
regional church counctis; but their leadership is challenged and
their effectiveness reduced, on the one hand by conservative
bishops, and on the other by radical priests who insist upon in-
stant overthrow of the old order no matter what the consequences.
-- The Impact of the new currents in the church varies front country
to country. In countries where the church becomes a proponent
of change. this will encourage political group* already imposing
the old order. With few exceptions, however, no dramatic results
are likely over the next several years; conservative military and
civilian establishments that control most countries appear to be
much stronger than the proponents of change.
SECRET
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2009/11/16: LOC-HAK-2-1-34-0
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No Objection to Declassification in Full 2009/11/16: LOC-HAK-2-1-34-0
4.
coo cases the churchf* adv cy of reform,
disruptive activttles of radical priest*, will prodw.greater
Over a longer pert docaAo or more au luer so la the
offoctivexesit of all fore** operating for thong*, lacludlug tho
church, will probably lead nassro frequoatly to revolutionory
situations. Some israilvidual prlasta may prove to bo charismatic
leaders.
Because! e workbag Eor sca pemeM toad to blame
the plight of tho poor ou foreign tuflueuce as swell as local *Mee,
the new treads la the Church will probably atreasgthos the already
formidable currents of smil.Americsaism ba Latta Americo,
VP1ra yivnar
7/18
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2009/11/16: LOC-HAK-2-1-34-0