Euskal Herrian gizartea eta eliza

Abstract

The relationship between the Catholic Church and Basque society has always been relatively close and friendly. In recent decades however, this relationship has under-gone a significant change. The factors involved in this social change have been analyzed in the article. The author works on three hypotheses: the first hypothesis claims that the Catholic Church has arrived at modernity too late and the second states that the Basque culture has arrived late at modernity, as well as at modern-day Church. Finally, the third hypothesis asserts that the relationship between the society and the Church in the case of the Basque country has changed considerably and rapidly. The whole process is studied in the context of Western culture. The social configuration of religion has been changed during late modernity and this is another context in which this subject should be studied.