Na misji w Boliwii

A mission in Bolivia

Summary: The paper reflects on a visit to Bolivia. It shows the country as a land of natural, geographical and above all social contrasts. From the evergreen rainforest lowlands to the stark Altiplano flats and the snow-covered peaks of the Andes. The melting pot of Inca, Aimara and European cultures. The social disparities ranging from extreme poverty and squalor in the countryside and urban outskirts (like the La Paz neighbourhood of El Alto) to the riches of the narco-fortunes. In a country where more than 90 per cent of population is Catholic, syncretism and remains of pagan customs still exist. At the same time, religious sects begin to expand.
Against the backdrop of general remarks, the author presents selected sites related to the history and the current life of the Catholic Church. First and foremost are the two largest sanctuaries of the Virgin Mary: Copacabana (the Bolivian Częstochowa on the lake of Titicaca) and Urkupina (the sanctuary of national integration). Then, the town of Concepcion, which comes from the time of the so-called Jesuit reduction, with its religious and architectural monuments, including the cathedral and a figure of Our Lady of the Indians, all in perfect condition. There are many examples of Christendom: churches with their interesting colonial architecture, crosses and figures, including the world’s tallest figure of Christ in Cochabamba. Many of the religious customs bear marks of the Spanish and Portuguese colonial expansion combined with the assimilated elements of the indigenous Indian culture, such as the very popular fiestas, processions and the richly ornamented holy figures. Polish traces in the life of the contemporary Bolivian church are also to be found. More than a hundred Polish missionaries, priests and nuns work here; they run parishes, social help, health care and education centres. In Liberta, a Lord’s Mercy mass is occasionally held.

Peregrinus Cracoviensis, 2002, z.12, s. 257-268.

Instytut Geografii i Gospodarki Przestrzennej UJ

ISSN 1425-1922

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