What is it about?
Catholicism is deeply embedded in Italian culture, shaping national identity and influencing daily life. However, as Italy becomes more secular, there's a growing distinction between practising and non-practising Catholics. This shift allows for an interesting interplay with shamanism, particularly through trans-cultural forms and the Tradition of Segnatori. Despite the Catholic Church's traditional stance against shamanic and magical practices, many Italians integrate these elements into their cultural identity without seeing a contradiction with their Catholic beliefs. Controversies like the Pan-Amazonian Synod and the debate over Pachamama statues highlight tensions within the Catholic community regarding the inclusion of indigenous and shamanic practices. Yet, for the majority of Italians, especially non-practising Catholics, there's a pragmatic approach to religion that embraces both Catholic and shamanic elements, reflecting a broader and more inclusive understanding of religious and cultural identity.
Featured Image
Photo by Ivan Aleksic on Unsplash
Why is it important?
This article is important because it sheds light on contemporary Italy's evolving relationship between traditional religious practices and emerging spiritual understandings. It highlights how Catholicism, an integral part of Italian cultural identity, interacts with and adapts to shamanism and other spiritual practices. This adaptation reflects broader trends of secularisation and the redefinition of religious identity in a modern, pluralistic society. By examining the nuances of practising and non-practising Catholics' engagement with shamanism, the article contributes to a deeper understanding of how cultural and religious identities are negotiated and reimagined in the face of global influences and local traditions. It offers insights into the complex dynamics of faith, tradition, and modernity in Italy, making it relevant for scholars, practitioners, and anyone interested in the intersection of religion and culture.
Perspectives
As someone deeply immersed in the study of religious practices, magic, esotericism, and cultural expressions of spirituality, I find this article to be a fascinating intersection of traditional Catholic identity and the evolving spiritual landscape in Italy. The blending of Catholicism with shamanic practices underscores a fluidity in spiritual identities that resonates with broader themes in religious studies: the negotiation between tradition and individual spiritual exploration, the impact of secularisation on religious practices, and how cultural identities shape and are shaped by these dynamics. The discussion on the distinction between practising and non-practising Catholics in Italy and their varying degrees of engagement with shamanism is a significant area of interest and research within the study of modern religiosity. It highlights a critical aspect of contemporary spirituality: personalising belief systems. This phenomenon, wherein individuals mix and match elements from various traditions to create a spiritual practice that feels authentic to them, is a significant area of interest and research within the study of modern religiosity. Furthermore, the article's exploration of the ongoing debates within the Catholic community about integrating shamanic elements is of paramount importance. It reflects the tensions and dialogues within many religious traditions about purity, syncretism, and the boundaries of faith. These discussions are crucial for understanding how religions adapt to changing cultural contexts and the needs of their adherents. Finally, the importance of this article lies in its contribution to the conversation about how religious and spiritual identities are constructed and experienced in the 21st century. It provides a concrete example of how traditional religious frameworks are being reinterpreted and reimagined in ways that challenge conventional dichotomies between the sacred and the secular, the orthodox and the heterodox. For scholars and practitioners alike, it offers valuable insights into the complex spiritual seeking and identity formation processes in a rapidly changing world.
Dr Angela Puca
Leeds Trinity University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Relations and Contrasts with Catholicism, March 2024, Brill,
DOI: 10.1163/9789004694187_007.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
