Methodists in Argentina: «We stand against it!»
Many people have slipped into poverty. If they demonstrate, the police crack down. What can the Methodist Church do in this situation? Bishop Américo Jara Reyes talks about the causes of poverty, swallowed anger and a church that looks and acts.
Américo Jara Reyes has been the bishop of the Methodist Church in Argentina, married and father of four grown-up daughters. In the Connexio Mission Talk on March 2, a public Zoom meeting lasting around an hour, he first shared his personal life story.
Surviving dictatorship
«I grew up in Chile. My father went to prison during the dictatorship and was killed.» His mother then emigrated to Argentina with the children. «So I am a migrant, I bring this experience with me,» says Américo Jara Reyes. In Argentina, he once again experienced a dictatorship and the development of socialism. This experience shapes his view of the current situation. It is important to him to stand up for justice and human rights «and I stand up when lies are spread!»
21,000 companies closed
Many people in Argentina are struggling to survive. Retired people can no longer pay their rent, sick people lack the money for medication and poverty among children has increased. Among other things, Argentina has missed out on structural changes and the economy has lost importance, says Américo Jara Reyes. Since President Javier Milei took office, the manufacturing industry has suffered from the liberalization of imports. «Around 21,000 companies, including many SMEs, have closed in the last two years; unemployment has risen sharply,’ he says, highlighting aspects of the highly complex socio-economic situation.
Empty wallet
Even if inflation is no longer rising so strongly at the moment, the purchasing power of wages and pensions has fallen sharply. «Many people's wallets are simply empty.» Those who have almost no income hardly receive any help from the state, as it is cutting back on pensions, education and healthcare. But it is also difficult for the middle classes: «Those who have always lived in poverty tend to have more practice in surviving. Juanita from the poor district perhaps cooks regularly for others and has built up her small business,» explains Américo Jara Reyes, «many who belong to the middle class are helpless.»
Elected out of frustration
And why did the population vote for Milei? It had to do with the pandemic, among other things. «Back then, many things fell away for some people. Politicians didn't react to this emergency situation. That caused frustration and a lot of anger; people felt that the elite had to go now! Milei promised exactly that.» Disadvantaged people in particular voted for him because he was different. «But Milei is shamelessly exploiting the population. Only a very small elite benefits from the current policy.»
Domestic violence on the rise
According to Américo Jara Reyes, his impression is that many people turn their anger inwards. «In 2001, when the economy completely collapsed, everyone took to the streets and demonstrated loudly. Now it's different. Many no longer shout out their anger and distress; they let their family feel it. Domestic violence has increased enormously.» The Methodist Church runs a children's home. «We have more and more children who show signs of severe abuse.» Drugs are also a big problem. There are more drug cartels than before, which benefit from the fact that the current government has created a vacuum and does not intervene enough.
Sowing hope
The president always says that things have to get worse before they get better. Américo Jara Reyes doesn't believe that: «No, it's not getting better. On the contrary. What is destroyed now will take years to rebuild.» So what can be done? «The small Methodist church can't solve the big problems or stop developments. Nor can we help everyone. But we are sowing seeds here and there and again and again. We network. We demonstrate. We take a stand when we perceive injustice. We help people in need, in a very practical way.» It is about sowing hope, tirelessly and without violence, the bishop emphasizes. «And the joy we have in Jesus is important to me. I want that, we must preserve it; we must not allow this joy to be taken away from us. I myself am a happy person; I like music, singing and playing the guitar.»
Be spine
The Methodist Church has congregations from the south to the north of the country. That is a great strength. «We are like a spine of the Protestant churches. If a church wants to build something in a new place, it often works with us.» The Methodist Church, which has been in existence for 190 years, also shows backbone in other ways. It was already committed to human rights during the dictatorship (1976-1983). It still shows the faces of people who disappeared back then - and not just on days of remembrance. It demonstrates for fair pensions and against the deterioration of working conditions. Where the current government violates human rights, it joins with other churches and organizations in calling for No more dictatorship!
Further links
The Church in Argentina takes a stand on the issue Human rights
How do we act non-violently in these times? Américo Jara Reyes writes about this in a Letter to pastors.
Your donation helps!
The Methodist Church in Argentina is committed to social justice, the right to migration, climate justice and gender justice. It addresses these aspects of justice in seminars, online forums for young people and through public statements.
Connexio hope, the organization for church cooperation among Methodists in Switzerland, provides financial support.
Connexio hope, Zurich, CH09 0900 0000 1574 7657 4 Note «Argentina»
