Abstract

AZCONEGUI, María Cecilia. Catholicism and human rights in Neuquén, 1981-1982. The Madres and the sacralization of their struggle. Soc. relig. [online]. 2021, vol.31, n.58, pp.160-160. ISSN 0326-9795.

This article reconstructs and analyzes two collective actions, a fast and the crowning of the Virgin of Peace with the white scarf of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, carried out by women belonging to the organizations of the human rights movement in Neuquén during the military dictatorship (1976-1983) in order to clarify the role played by traditional Catholic practices in denouncing state repression and human rights violations and to identify the role of religious specialists in this process. It is argued that, in a scenario of certain political liberalization, such as the one generated after Viola's military government, the tactical innovation of resorting to Catholic practices gave visibility to the claim and to the organizations, as well as generating a new climate of solidarity in which it was possible to interact with a wider public and broaden the social bases of the movement. Likewise, the legitimizing role of religious specialists is highlighted and benefits are identified in relation to identity processes and the repositioning of the organizations within the changing political scenario.

Keywords : Catholicism; Dictatorship; Mothers of Plaza de Mayo; Neuquén; collective action.