Towards the General Chapter

The next General Chapter will lead us into the historical cultural social and ecclesial context of Paraguay. For many of the delegates to the General Chapter, this will be the first visit to this particular country.  Their presence will be more than that of a tourist or of a passing guest.

The articles published in the months to come will help us to know a people, its history, its culture, its faith, its social conflicts, his expectations and its challenges…

Before the arrival of the Conquistadores Paraguay was populated by different native groups, among which are the Amazonian avá (guarani), who, thanks to their numerical superiority and advanced culture, came from northern South America and settled in this territory.The first Europeans to arrive in this land, which later became known as the ‘Great Province of the Indies’, were firstly in 1524 the Portuguese explorer Alejo García, who was credited with discovering Paraguay, and secondly in 1528 Sebastiano Caboto who in his travels on the river Paraguay, reached as far as the Pilcomayo river, and so became the first to navigate these waters.

The foundation of the fort of Our Lady of the Assumption, described by Domingo Martínez de Irala in 1541 as a “noble and loyal city”, was the starting point of Spanish conquest in the Rio de la Plata. From here most of the foundation expeditions in America were launched.As a prelude to the independence of the country, there were two popular revolts, one called ‘The Common Revolution.’ The motto of the rebels “Vox Populi, Vox Dei”, marked the growing desire for good government. The second revolution is known as “The precursor of American Independence”.Many events then led to the independence of Paraguay (1811): Guaraní wars, during which the natives and the Jesuits joined forces to fight the Portuguese invaders; The expulsion of the Jesuits, which began in 1767; The creation in 1776 of the Vice-Kingdom of Rio de la Plata, of which the province of Paraguay would form part. In parallel with the Napoleonic invasions of the Iberian Peninsula, the Council of Buenos Aires, in rebellion against the metropolis, attempted to annex the province of Paraguay by a military expedition under the command of General Manuel Belgrano, which ended in defeat for the Porteños (inhabitants of the port of Buenos Aires). After this belligerent act, the uprising of the national heroes of Paraguay against Spanish domination, on May 14 & 15 1811 led to the independence of Paraguay and the institution of the first Independent Republic of the South at the Congress of October 12 1813. This first period of transition saw a succession of temporary governments: Triumvirate, Junta, Consuls; until the day when José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia was elected at the Congress of 1814 as ‘Temporary Dictator’ of the Republic. At the Congress of 1816 he was appointed ‘Supreme Dictator for Life,’ a position he held until his death in 1840.

After the death of the “Supreme Dictator,” there was a period similar to that which followed independence: no successor having been appointed, a crisis of governmental instability broke out, and finally the Congress of 1841 established the Consulate as a form of government, composed of Mariano Roque Alonso and Carlos Antonio López. Lopez was elected Constitutional President of Paraguay at the congress of 1844. During his tenure, Paraguay continued to develop into an independent country. His son, Francisco Solano, succeeded him and was elected at the Congress of 1862. The first rulers helped make the country the most prosperous nation in South America.

During the presidency of Francisco Solano Lopez, the most devastating war in American history broke out; Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay joined together in a triple alliance against Paraguay (1865-1870). This conflict left Paraguay in ruins, demographically, territorially, politically and economically. However, the temper, courage and will of those who survived this harrowing experience enabled the country to be reborn like a phoenix which is reborn from its ashes. The majority of the survivors were women, and it was with their courage and determination that they rebuilt the country.

The proclamation of the National Constitution at the Congress of 1870 inaugurated a new phase for Paraguay. The elected president was Cirilo Antonio Rivarola. This period was characterized by repeated armed uprisings, with various political groups struggling for power. As a result, a ‘Liberal Rule’ was established, which was maintained until the explosion of the Chaco war. In 1932 a war broke out between Paraguay and Bolivia for the possession of the Northern Chaco. It ended with the signing of the Protocol of Peace (1935), which marked the end of hostilities. Paraguay retained three-quarters of the territory at the origin of the conflict, the fourth part returning to Bolivia.

After the Chaco war a new era of internal revolutions developed. Among these are the Febrerista (February) revolution (1936) and the “pynandi” revolution (barefoot, 1947), which marks the beginning of “Colorado Rule”.On August 15, 1954, Alfredo Stroessner took over the presidency of Paraguay. His dictatorship became an ‘iron fist’ regime against the opposition. The repression used during his tenure took the form of torture, kidnappings and political assassinations. At the same time, corruption increased. A coup d’etat (2 & 3 February 1989), led by General Andres Rodriguez, father of his daughter-in-law, overthrew the dictatorial government of Stroessner after 35 years of absolute power.

Paraguay has since embarked on a new path by trying out a process of transformation in all sectors. The National Constitution, adopted in 1992, laid down the rules for the democratic life of the country. Many events have demonstrated since, the will and popular determination in the struggle for the respect for individual and collective freedoms, and in particular what is called the Paraguayan March (1999). (When a popular vice president was murdered there was a big demonstration of people power)Since the overthrow of the dictatorship there have been various key figures. The country’s presidency is currently exercised by businessman Horacio Cartes. Pope Francis who in 2015 made an apostolic visit to Paraguay, evokes this country in the following terms: I take my hat off to Paraguay. This country is incredible. It is not surprising that these brothers have risen from their ashes.

Mónica Silvia Gadea