Church-State Relations in Africa in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries: Mission, Empire, and the Holy See

This edited collection explores church-state relations in African colonies during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, focusing on the period from the 'scramble for Africa' to independence. It argues that interactions between state and church were contingent on the complex dynamics of interests between secular and ecclesiastical entities.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 27 August 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This edited collection delves into the intricate dynamics of church-state relations in the European colonies in Africa during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Spanning from the tumultuous era of the 'scramble for Africa' in the 1870s and 1880s to the wave of independence that swept across African colonies in the 1950s and 60s, the chapters explore the complex interplay between religious institutions and colonial powers. The book examines the various factors that shaped these relations, including the influence of Catholic missionaries, the power struggles between the Holy See and colonial authorities, and the impact of international orders and socio-political developments in the metropoles. The authors argue that the interactions between state and church in Africa's European colonies were shaped by the complex interplay of interests pursued by both secular and ecclesiastical entities.

With a particular focus on the Belgian and Portuguese colonies in Africa, this book offers valuable insights for scholars of European imperial history and ecclesiastical history. It sheds light on the complex web of relationships that characterized this period, highlighting the ways in which religious institutions and colonial powers interacted, collaborated, and sometimes clashed. The book also provides a valuable perspective on the enduring legacies of colonialism in Africa, exploring the ways in which religious institutions and secular authorities have continued to shape the political, social, and cultural landscape of the region.

In conclusion, this edited collection is a valuable contribution to the study of church-state relations in Africa during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It offers a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the complex dynamics that shaped these relations, providing a rich understanding of the historical and cultural context in which they occurred.

Weight: 437g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030986124
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022