Hagen, Carla (September 2023). Dynamics around “Gypsies” within Catholicism (Unpublished). In: DVRW Jahrestagung: Under Construction - Religion als Praxis und Prozess. Universität Bayreuth. 25. bis 28.9.2023.
A specific form of racism is at the centre of the intra-religious dynamics examined in this contribution. This racism, known as antigypsyism, is directed against those groups associated with the term “Gypsy”. People who (supposedly) belonged to such groups were considered as “religiously deficient” at the beginning of the 20th century and were therefore not accepted as full Catholics. Hence, Catholic institutions sought to educate them to become "brave citizens and dutiful Catholics". Such institutions enabled, legitimized and practiced violence and thus contributed to the persecution of the so-called “Gypsies”. In the mid-20th century, the attitude of Catholic institutions changed: “Gypsies” were now considered Catholics “from another world” and several institutions dedicated to their integration emerged. At the same time, the Catholic Church lost many of its Yenish, Sinti and Roma members through church resignations and conversions to the Gypsy Evangelical Mission. The shift in the way Catholic institutions view and treat Catholics called "Gypsies" has therefore moved from an exclusionary, correctional approach to one of greater acceptance and integration. However, it is questionable to which extent this dynamic can overcome anti-gypsy stereotypes and how it affects those labelled as “Gypsies” in their individual development of a religious practice. We explore these questions primarily using the example of the Yenish in Switzerland, but also with references to the European context. Furthermore, the question of what this case study can contribute to the conceptualization of intra-religious dynamics is addressed, particularly in relation to processes of diversification and protest.
Item Type: |
Conference or Workshop Item (Speech) |
|---|---|
Division/Institute: |
06 Faculty of Humanities > Department of Art and Cultural Studies > Institute for the Science of Religion |
UniBE Contributor: |
Hagen, Carla |
Subjects: |
200 Religion 200 Religion > 290 Other religions |
Language: |
English |
Submitter: |
Lara Emmenegger |
Date Deposited: |
25 Jan 2024 14:01 |
Last Modified: |
25 Jan 2024 14:01 |
URI: |
https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/192125 |
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