The Roots of our Riches

This church, like so many in Europe, is decorated in gold—650 pounds to be precise, or about $60 million in today’s market.  There are thousands of such churches across Europe.  Even small towns have churches with golden alters.  Some estimates say that Latin America shipped 200,000 metric tons of gold to Spain alone between 1400 and 1800, much of it mined with indigenous slave labor.

On a different yet similar note, the United States has taken the riches of Latin America --through Banana Wars and political interventions designed to benefit US corporate interests.  US mining and oil companies have dumped so many toxins in parts of South America that tap water is unsafe, even if filtered or boiled, even for brushing teeth.

Both Europe and the United States long operated on the “Doctrine of Discovery”, which emerged from 15th century Papal Decrees and gave Christians the right to seize and exploit “discovered” lands and their inhabitants—a doctrine not formally repudiated by the Catholic Church until 2023.  The legacy of this doctrine is embedded in the developed world’s sense of entitlement to global resources, even as we criticize the nations that have been devastated in the taking of the profits.    

Why are we surprised when centuries of exploitation lead to political turmoil and mass migration?  How can we better assume responsibility for our current riches? How can we create a more just world?     

Heavenly Creator, help us to put your words into action…to learn to do right, to seek justice, and to defend the oppressed. Strengthen us with inspiration and resolve to create a better world.  Amen

By Judy B, who is conflicted by her love of European churches and is unwaveringly thankful to our humble yet beautiful Peace meeting space and its generous inhabitants!