The El Salvador Gang Truce and the Church: What is the Role of the Catholic Church by Steven Dudley
This white paper is one of a series produced by American University’s Center for Latin American and Latino Studies’ multi-year project of research and structured dialogue on religion and violence in Latin America. In light of the consequences of criminal violence for the region’s democracies, the project seeks to better understand how religious actors are responding today, when they are less prominent than during the previous period of political, largely state-sponsored violence. Fresh research on Brazil, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru allows comparative analysis between different countries as well as past and present. These studies will be published as a scholarly volume.
Project white papers aim to bridge and catalyze dialogue between scholarly and policy communities, religious practitioners and human rights activists. They are designed to inform the ongoing efforts of religious leaders, policymakers and advocates in civil society who seek effective strategies to diminish violence in contemporary Latin America and empower its victims.
Research scholar in residence Alexander Wilde co-directs the project with CLALS Director Eric Hershberg and University Chaplain Joseph Eldridge. The project is supported by the Henry R. Luce Initiative on Religion and International Affairs of the Henry Luce Foundation.
For ongoing project developments, see:
http://www.american.edu/clals/Violence-and-Victims.cfm