Constructing a Latin-American identity in exile through the religious practice: the Riches Claires community in Brussels, Belgium

Abstract

Through the history of Spanish-speaking Catholic community of Riches Claires located in Brussels, Belgium, this article explores the relationship between religion and migration, raising the hypothesis that, thanks to its international presence, Catholicism has become an instrument and medium for the protection and integration of migrants to the new context, the creation of transnational networks and the creation of a “Latin American” identity in exile, gathering and integrating into a new context religious and cultural traditions of different origins.

Keywords: migration, Latin-American identity, Catholic Church, religious practices, transnationals networks, Belgium.