Abstract

MUTOLO, Andrea. “Capitalism is not Christian”. The economic problems of Sergio Méndez Arceo in his homilies. Cuicuilco. Rev. cienc. antropol. [online]. 2023, vol.30, n.88, pp.51-73.  Epub Apr 08, 2024. ISSN 2448-8488.

This paper analyzes the homilies of the Bishop of Cuernavaca, Sergio Méndez Arceo, in the 1970s. The objective is to deepen the multiple messages that economic problems take up, by contextualizing these ideas, within the general framework of Liberation Theology. The main axes of the homilies focus on two positions: 1) conversion and 2) dualism. By conversion, Méndez Arceo constantly returns to the idea of “class struggle”, at the same time, from the perspective of Holy Scripture, he emphasizes the Liberation of the man. While by dualism he insists on the division between a ruling class of wealthy businessmen or landowners and a dominated class of workers and peasants, dividing society into good and bad Christians. It is worth highlighting that this article takes up a novel theme, considering that an in-depth analysis of the economic problems in the homilies has not been carried out.

Keywords : Cuernavaca; Méndez Arceo; Liberation Theology; homilies; class struggle.