Abstract

ESPINOZA MELENDEZ, Pedro. The invention of the “second Spiritual Conquest”. Reflections on Catholic Historiography in Baja California during the 20th century. Hist. graf [online]. 2024, n.63, pp.191-227.  Epub June 21, 2024. ISSN 1405-0927.  https://doi.org/10.48102/hyg.vi63.515.

This essay reflects on the Catholic narratives produced about the religious history of Baja California during the 19th and 20th centuries. In order to analyze a historiographical corpus of stories, histories, biographies, and memories, I try to analyze four areas: The theoretical distinction between modern historiography as historical past, and ecclesiastical history and memory as practical pasts and memory threads; the coexistence of both forms of writing throughout the 20th century in this case study; the analysis and historicization of the narrative of a “second spiritual conquest” of Baja California; and the problem represented by the existence of fictitious stories that some religious actors have presented as true.

Keywords : Historiography; Catholic Historiography; Catholic Church; Baja California, 20th century.

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