Syncretism:  The Connection between Prehispanic Religions and Modern-day Catholicism

By Ann Kuffner 

UUFSMA Member

Unitarian Universalists believe in the interconnectedness of all creation and of one human family. Syncretism refers to the amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought. To keen observers of religious rituals in Mexico syncretism is obvious. To successfully convert Mesoamerican indigenous people, Spanish priests integrated some of their core religious beliefs and practices into Catholicism. 

Albert Coffee has historically been one of our most popular speakers. He will address what unites us through religion or the lack thereof. Coffee is an archaeologist who was fortunate to participate, for a period of time, in the excavation of the local archeological zone Cañada de la Virgen. His focus of study has been the ancient cultures of the Mesoamerican region. 

He will explore aspects of the religion of the people who occupied this region at the time and before the European arrival. Themes represented will include a mix of symbolism, cosmology, and the relationship to the earth and sky. Some aspects have been carried over into modern Catholic practices and the calendar. He will explain how these aspects make San Miguel de Allende an incredibly unique place at the forefront of archaeological and cultural exploration. He will review the most current information and discoveries that are changing our understanding of the history of this special place and the surrounding regions.

We are delighted to welcome back the wonderful Yaya Fuentes as our guest musician. She will be playing “The Hang.”

Unitarian Universalism (UU) is a liberal faith inviting its community to gather around a set of harmonizing values and principles for living. Our UU Fellowship welcomes people of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Belief in a divinity is not the central issue around which we gather for worship and generous action. Rather, we come together with a belief in community, love, compassion, social justice, reverence for nature, and the spirituality of music, all within the interconnected web of existence.

UUFSMA donates generously to support nonprofit organizations that provide health, educational, and environmental services for underserved communities in the San Miguel region. Please support this work by clicking on the website home page Donate button. 

To participate in our online Sunday Service visit www.uufsma.org and click on the Zoom Service button on the home page. If requested, enter password: 294513. Sign-in from anywhere Sunday mornings between 10:15-10:25am. Enjoy previous services at https://www.youtube.com/UUFSMA.

In addition to continuing live Zoom services, UUFSMA has returned to in-person Sunday services. Masks are optional but a distanced area is reserved for those preferring. UUFSMA meets at the Hotel Posada de la Aldea on Ancha San Antonio 15.