Robert Royal on Hispanic Catholicism

Robert Royal has a thoughtful commentary on the role Hispanic Catholicism might play in shaping American culture. He notes that there is little abstract about Hispanic inculturations of the faith, which bespeaks a vitality often lacking north of the border. Royal also notes that such vitality is not always sufficient: He recalls visiting a rural church in Guatemala where pre-Christian rituals co-existed a little too easily with Catholic practice, an experience I encountered in Chiapas once, watching an older woman carefully set out an egg, a bottle of Coke and some candles before a statue of a saint as she began praying over a pregnant woman.
Royal's commentary is not lengthy and only touches the surface of some profound issues, but is well worth the read.