Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 127:508 (Oct 1970)
Article: The Effects of the Central American Mission on Guatemala
Author: Wilkins B. Winn

BSac 127:508 (Oct 70) p. 324

The Effects of the Central American Mission on Guatemala

Wilkins B. Winn

[Wilkins B. Winn, Associate Professor of Latin America History, East Carolina College, Greenville, North Carolina.]

[Editor’s Note: This article is a by-product of extensive research by its author into the total ministry of the Central American Mission, as the basis of a qualifying dissertation for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. In the discussion of the important by-products of the ministry of the Central American Mission in Guatemala, it should be borne in mind that the central thrust of the Mission is evangelism and church planting and that the effects of this on the political, religious, educational, and social life of Guatemala have been indirect dividends to which other effective missionary agencies in Central America have also made a contribution.]

The permanent work of the Central American Mission in Guatemala was established by Albert Edward Bishop, who entered that country in 1899.1 Continuing to the present day, the activities of this mission have resulted in political, religious, educational, and social effects on Guatemala.

The emergence of Protestantism projected another influence on the political developments of Guatemala. Even though Bishop and others discouraged active participation in politics on the part of their religious workers, Protestantism inevitably had political effects. In fact, it was at the invitation and insistence of President Justo Rufino Barrios that the Presbyterians commenced a work in Guatemala in the 1880’s. One purpose of encouraging the coming of the Protestants was to divert clerical opposition from Barrios.2 Building on the liberal efforts of such men as Francisco Morazan and Mariano Galvez, Barrios, through his liberal reforms, created favorable conditions for the establishment of the Central American Mission.

BSac 127:508 (Oct 70) p. 325

Although there was no organic connection between Protestants and political liberals, these groups mutually supported one another. Many of their tenets were coextensive, such as freedom of religion, speech, and press, separation of church and state, and universal education. Consequently, individuals concluded that these two groups were united. During the turbulent political events of the 1920’s, the clerical issue was an important factor. The Archbishop was intimidated, and the Jesuits were expelled. In this context, El Unionista, a newspaper of a political party with clerical affinities, asserted that the Evangelicals and the Democrats had formed a union.3

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