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Religious Responses to Gang Violence in Central America – An Update

Religious Responses to Gang Violence in Central America – An Update. Robert Brenneman, Saint Michael’s College. The Social Problem: Central America’s “New Violence”. Motivated by economics and identity, not politics Higher levels of violent death than during most of the civil war years.

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Religious Responses to Gang Violence in Central America – An Update

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  1. Religious Responses to Gang Violence in Central America – An Update Robert Brenneman, Saint Michael’s College

  2. The Social Problem: Central America’s “New Violence” • Motivated by economics and identity, not politics • Higher levels of violent death than during most of the civil war years Robert Brenneman, Saint Michael’s College

  3. The Gangs of Central America: From pandilla to mara • Youth street gangs date to at least 1970s • Latino gang members from L.A. arrived in San Salvador in 1992 • Grew quickly, co-opted, networked local gangs • Approximately 30,000-65,000 gang members in the Northern Triangle • Recent growth of “imitation” gang violence Robert Brenneman, Saint Michael’s College

  4. Los mareros: The perfect scapegoat • Mara Dieciocho (M-18) • Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) • Vatos Locos • White Fence Robert Brenneman, Saint Michael’s College

  5. Government Responses • Honduras (Maduro): cero tolerancia • El Salvador (Saca): mano dura and super mano dura • Guatemala: Joint military-police patrols

  6. ¡Hasta la morgue! • Tightening of membership rules • Neftalí: “The only way out of here is in your pine-box suit.” • Attempt to exercise social control • Response to “social cleansing” Robert Brenneman, Saint Michael’s College

  7. Religious Context: Late 2000s • Half or less identify as RC • Vigorous competition among evangelicals • Pentecostal • Neo-Pentecostal • Mainline Robert Brenneman, Saint Michael’s College

  8. “Barrio Evangelicalism” in Central America • Small congregations gathering frequently • Pentecostal forms of expression • Emphasis on healing • Strict, sectarian piety • Address each other as “hermanos” • Modest dress • No alcohol! Robert Brenneman, Saint Michael’s College

  9. Evangelical Gang Ministries • Tend to focus on “rescuing” gang members • Use language of “restoration” and spiritual/social support • Refer to gang violence as a “spiritual problem”

  10. Evangelical Gang Ministries Offer: Tools to “reconstruct” identity • Tight social networks of support • Help with finding paid, legal work • Time hoarding • Emotionally engaging rituals • “Alternative masculinities” • Help with avoiding the “morgue rule”

  11. Vera (non-convert): “These days, the only way to get out [of the gang] is to get involved in the church one hundred percent. . . . . . but the gang keeps watch over you day and night to see if you’re actually completing it.” The “evangelical exemption” Robert Brenneman, Saint Michael’s College

  12. New Developments? • Multiple reports of failed or “faked” conversions • Reports that gangs have now closed all exits • Reports that some gangs now target evangelical ministries Robert Brenneman, Saint Michael’s College

  13. Catholicism in Central America • Considered “default religion” • Liberationist groups in 1980s • Continuing growth of Charismatic Renewal

  14. Catholics Gang Ministries Offer: • Job training • Human rights advocacy • Prevention

  15. Catholics Gang Ministries Offer: • Job training • Human rights advocacy • Prevention • Affordable tattoo Removal

  16. Religion of Interviewees Robert Brenneman, Saint Michael’s College

  17. New Developments: Catholic leaders as mediators 2/19/2012: Press leaks “truce” between MS-13 and M18 Gang leaders announce moratorium on killing Catholic Bishop (and Army Chaplain) Mons. Colindres and ex-FMLN Comandante mediate Robert Brenneman, Saint Michael’s College

  18. New Developments: Salvadorans React • 3/15/2012: Police announce 50% reduction in homicides • Firestorm of controversy: • Who authorized? • Negotiation with “terrorists”? Robert Brenneman, Saint Michael’s College

  19. The Truce: Six months later • August, 2012: Major news outlets pick up story (Time, NYT) • Some U.S. experts question crime reduction • Police report lower homicides but exceptions attract attention Robert Brenneman, Saint Michael’s College

  20. The Truce: Six months later • Guatemalan, Honduran gang leaders voice interest • Mediators warn that truce is fragile • Mons. Colindres: “We’ve begun down a historic path and we can’t go back now.” Robert Brenneman, Saint Michael’s College

  21. Conclusions • Religious people and institutions continue to play a huge role in Latin America • Catholics and evangelicals have distinct cultural tools for addressing gang violence • Catholic church has distinct factions taking different approaches to social problems Robert Brenneman, Saint Michael’s College

  22. ¡Mil gracias! Robert Brenneman, Saint Michael’s College

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