Difference between revisions of "Paraguay"

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The natural resources of Paraguay make it well fitted for agriculture. There was some industry in the 1950s and there probably will be more in the future, but the basic ingredients of a great industrial development—coal, or oil, and iron—are lacking. The agricultural products in the 1950s were cotton, [[Tobacco|tobacco]], manioc, corn, sugar cane, rice, peanuts, yerba mate, citrus fruits, melons, sweet potatoes, beans and garden vegetables, pineapples, bananas, and other fruits. Lumbering was also important. In addition to the quebracho tree, which furnished tannin, there were some types of trees and grasses from which oils could be profitably extracted, including oil of petitgrain, tung, castor, and coconut oils. Cattle raising was an important industry, providing meat, meat extract, which was largely exported, and hides.
 
The natural resources of Paraguay make it well fitted for agriculture. There was some industry in the 1950s and there probably will be more in the future, but the basic ingredients of a great industrial development—coal, or oil, and iron—are lacking. The agricultural products in the 1950s were cotton, [[Tobacco|tobacco]], manioc, corn, sugar cane, rice, peanuts, yerba mate, citrus fruits, melons, sweet potatoes, beans and garden vegetables, pineapples, bananas, and other fruits. Lumbering was also important. In addition to the quebracho tree, which furnished tannin, there were some types of trees and grasses from which oils could be profitably extracted, including oil of petitgrain, tung, castor, and coconut oils. Cattle raising was an important industry, providing meat, meat extract, which was largely exported, and hides.
  
The people are largely a mixture of Spanish and Indian with the Indian (Guaraní) predominating. The number of pure Indians and of pure Europeans is not large. There are some Spaniards, a few Italians, Germans, Englishmen, Slays, and others, besides the Mennonites, who are of Dutch and German ethnic origin.
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The people are largely a mixture of Spanish and Indigenous with the Indigenous (Guaraní) predominating. The number of pure Indigenous people and of pure Europeans is not large. There are some Spaniards, a few Italians, Germans, Englishmen, Slays, and others, besides the Mennonites, who are of Dutch and German ethnic origin.
  
 
The Spanish impact on Paraguay goes back to 1537 with the founding of the first settlement, [[Asunción (Paraguay)|Asuncion]]. During most of the colonial period Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay, served as the center from which the La Plata section of South America was administered. Since obtaining its independence from Spain in the second decade of the 19th century, Paraguay has had a checkered history. Three dictators dominated the political scene down to 1870, and since that time uprisings and revolutions of one kind or another frequently plagued the country. Disastrous foreign wars also contributed to the country's backwardness. One of these was the [[Chaco War (1932-1935)|Chaco War]] in the 1930's, in which the Mennonites, by settling on territory in dispute between Paraguay and [[Bolivia|Bolivia]], played an unintentional part.
 
The Spanish impact on Paraguay goes back to 1537 with the founding of the first settlement, [[Asunción (Paraguay)|Asuncion]]. During most of the colonial period Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay, served as the center from which the La Plata section of South America was administered. Since obtaining its independence from Spain in the second decade of the 19th century, Paraguay has had a checkered history. Three dictators dominated the political scene down to 1870, and since that time uprisings and revolutions of one kind or another frequently plagued the country. Disastrous foreign wars also contributed to the country's backwardness. One of these was the [[Chaco War (1932-1935)|Chaco War]] in the 1930's, in which the Mennonites, by settling on territory in dispute between Paraguay and [[Bolivia|Bolivia]], played an unintentional part.
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[[Spain|Spain]] contributed her religious and cultural pattern to Paraguay. The great majority of the people in the 1950s were Roman Catholic, although the attachment on the part of many was no more than nominal. Religious and moral standards were quite low. The number of Protestants in Paraguay was not large, the Mennonites constituting the largest Protestant body. The educational level was also quite low, although the authorities were making heroic efforts to raise it.
 
[[Spain|Spain]] contributed her religious and cultural pattern to Paraguay. The great majority of the people in the 1950s were Roman Catholic, although the attachment on the part of many was no more than nominal. Religious and moral standards were quite low. The number of Protestants in Paraguay was not large, the Mennonites constituting the largest Protestant body. The educational level was also quite low, although the authorities were making heroic efforts to raise it.
  
It was into this environment that the Mennonites began to come in the 1920's. Some of the most conservative groups of the Mennonites from Western Canada, who had come from [[Russia|Russia]] in the 1870s, were the first to become interested in Paraguay. They prospered fairly well in Canada until World War I, when the Canadian government began to more fully nationalize its various ethnic elements. This effort included the passing of a law eliminating private elementary schools and, in the public schools, compelling the use of English and forbidding the teaching of religion. These conservative groups of German-speaking Mennonites considered this a serious curtailment of privileges promised them when they came to Canada, and they began to look for new countries to which they might emigrate. The [[Old Colony Mennonites|Old Colony Mennonites]] in 1919-1920 investigated several countries in South America, but then decided to move to [[Mexico|Mexico]]. Another conservative group composed of [[Sommerfeld Mennonites|Sommerfelder]], [[Chortitzer Mennonite Conference|Chortitzer]], and a few [[Bergthal Mennonites|Bergthaler]] Mennonites then became interested in Paraguay. Oral promises of special privileges already made to the Old Colony group were now renewed and passed as a law in 1921. This famous and generous <em>[[Privileges (Privilegia)|privilegium]] </em>provided, among other things, that Mennonites and their descendants would have the right to practice their religion and to worship with complete and unrestricted liberty, to make simple affirmations in courts of justice, and to be exempt from obligatory military service, combatant and noncombatant, in time of peace and war. They were also given the right to maintain and administer their own schools and to teach their religion and their German language without restriction.
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It was into this environment that the Mennonites began to come in the 1920's. Some of the most conservative groups of the Mennonites from Western Canada, who had come from [[Russia|Russia]] in the 1870s, were the first to become interested in Paraguay. They prospered fairly well in Canada until World War I, when the Canadian government began to more fully nationalize its various ethnic elements. This effort included the passing of a law eliminating private elementary schools and, in the public schools, compelling the use of English and forbidding the teaching of religion. These conservative groups of German-speaking Mennonites considered this a serious curtailment of privileges promised them when they came to Canada, and they began to look for new countries to which they might emigrate. The [[Old Colony Mennonites|Old Colony Mennonites]] in 1919-1920 investigated several countries in South America, but then decided to move to [[Mexico|Mexico]]. Another conservative group composed of [[Sommerfeld Mennonites|Sommerfelder]], [[Chortitzer Mennonite Conference|Chortitzer]], and a few [[Bergthal Mennonites|Bergthaler]] Mennonites then became interested in Paraguay. Oral promises of special privileges already made to the Old Colony group were now renewed and passed as a law in 1921. This famous and generous ''[[Privileges (Privilegia)|privilegium]] ''provided, among other things, that Mennonites and their descendants would have the right to practice their religion and to worship with complete and unrestricted liberty, to make simple affirmations in courts of justice, and to be exempt from obligatory military service, combatant and noncombatant, in time of peace and war. They were also given the right to maintain and administer their own schools and to teach their religion and their German language without restriction.
  
Because of the depression of 1921 and the difficulty of selling their land at satisfactory prices the group which became [[Menno Colony (Alto Paraguay Department, Paraguay)|Menno Colony]] did not get started on their way to Paraguay until near the end of 1926. With those who came in 1927, a total of 1,778 souls arrived at the river port of Puerto Casado. Since their land, lying slightly more than 100 miles (160 km) west, bought from the specially formed <em>[[Corporación Paraguaya|Corporación Paraguaya]], </em>was not ready for settlement, these people were bitterly disappointed in their forced prolonged stay in and near Puerto Casado. In addition, tragedy struck in the form of typhoid and other diseases, taking a toll of over 200 lives. Over 300 disillusioned migrants returned to Canada. But the main body was finally able to settle on its own land in 1928 and the discontent was largely dissipated. Very few persons left this colony after actual settlement on the land. They settled in villages (fourteen in 1928), as had been the practice of their forefathers in [[Russia|Russia]]. This group, known as Menno Colony, was the first Mennonite settlement in [[South America|South America]] and the most stable.
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Because of the depression of 1921 and the difficulty of selling their land at satisfactory prices the group which became [[Menno Colony (Alto Paraguay Department, Paraguay)|Menno Colony]] did not get started on their way to Paraguay until near the end of 1926. With those who came in 1927, a total of 1,778 souls arrived at the river port of Puerto Casado. Since their land, lying slightly more than 100 miles (160 km) west, bought from the specially formed ''[[Corporación Paraguaya|Corporación Paraguaya]], ''was not ready for settlement, these people were bitterly disappointed in their forced prolonged stay in and near Puerto Casado. In addition, tragedy struck in the form of typhoid and other diseases, taking a toll of over 200 lives. Over 300 disillusioned migrants returned to Canada. But the main body was finally able to settle on its own land in 1928 and the discontent was largely dissipated. Very few persons left this colony after actual settlement on the land. They settled in villages (fourteen in 1928), as had been the practice of their forefathers in [[Russia|Russia]]. This group, known as Menno Colony, was the first Mennonite settlement in [[South America|South America]] and the most stable.
  
The names of a few non-Mennonites who helped in this venture should be mentioned. [[McRoberts, Samuel (1868-1947)|General Samuel McRoberts]], a New York banker, was contacted by the Mennonites and his interest and help enlisted in the cause. He, together with another banker as a partner, Edward B. Robinette, helped the Mennonites dispose of their holdings in Canada and helped them, through <em>Corporación Paraguaya, </em>buy and settle on their lands in Paraguay. McRoberts hired a Norwegian, Fred Engen, to help him explore and select an area in which the Mennonites might be interested. It was Engen who suggested the [[Chaco (South America)|Chaco]] area.
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The names of a few non-Mennonites who helped in this venture should be mentioned. [[McRoberts, Samuel (1868-1947)|General Samuel McRoberts]], a New York banker, was contacted by the Mennonites and his interest and help enlisted in the cause. He, together with another banker as a partner, Edward B. Robinette, helped the Mennonites dispose of their holdings in Canada and helped them, through ''Corporación Paraguaya, ''buy and settle on their lands in Paraguay. McRoberts hired a Norwegian, Fred Engen, to help him explore and select an area in which the Mennonites might be interested. It was Engen who suggested the [[Chaco (South America)|Chaco]] area.
  
 
The next group of Mennonites who came to Paraguay were refugees from Russia. During the 1920s, as a result of the Communist [[Russian Revolution and Civil War|revolution in Russia]], some 21,000 Mennonites came to the [[United States of America|United States]] and Canada, largely the latter. Other thousands, thinking the Communist storm would blow over, and lulled by the partial retreat from Communism under the New Economic Policy (NEP) following 1921, were less inclined to leave at that time. In 1929, after new and more persistent efforts to put Communism with its antireligious aspects into effect, the Mennonites realized too late that the emigration doors were pretty tightly closed. Nevertheless, out of the 13,000-15,000 said to have started for [[Moscow (Russia) |Moscow]] with the hope of escape, slightly less than 6,000 (including some non-Mennonites) were finally, on 25 November 1929, permitted to leave for [[Germany|Germany]], which gave them temporary asylum.
 
The next group of Mennonites who came to Paraguay were refugees from Russia. During the 1920s, as a result of the Communist [[Russian Revolution and Civil War|revolution in Russia]], some 21,000 Mennonites came to the [[United States of America|United States]] and Canada, largely the latter. Other thousands, thinking the Communist storm would blow over, and lulled by the partial retreat from Communism under the New Economic Policy (NEP) following 1921, were less inclined to leave at that time. In 1929, after new and more persistent efforts to put Communism with its antireligious aspects into effect, the Mennonites realized too late that the emigration doors were pretty tightly closed. Nevertheless, out of the 13,000-15,000 said to have started for [[Moscow (Russia) |Moscow]] with the hope of escape, slightly less than 6,000 (including some non-Mennonites) were finally, on 25 November 1929, permitted to leave for [[Germany|Germany]], which gave them temporary asylum.
  
Penniless, these refugees needed help and received it from European and North American Mennonites and also from non-Mennonite Germans. Where these people should be settled permanently was a problem. [[Germany|Germany]] seemed at that time unable to keep them and doors to the United States and Canada, where they preferred to go, were now closed for the great majority. The [[Mennonite Central Committee (International)|Mennonite Central Committee ]] (MCC) came to their aid and after studying the matter as thoroughly as was possible in the short time at its disposal recommended Paraguay. [[Brazil|Brazil]] was also open and a minority decided to migrate to that country. But Paraguay was one of the very few countries which promised them the freedom they desired and which at the same time was willing to receive the aged, ill, and crippled along with the others. [[Bender, Harold Stauffer (1897-1962)|Harold S. Bender]] was sent as the MCC representative to [[Germany|Germany]] in January 1930, to help arrange and organize the movement to Paraguay. In Paraguay the MCC arranged for the purchase of land from <em>Corporación Paraguaya </em>next to Menno Colony. In 1930-1932 a total of slightly more than 2,000 persons from Russia migrated to the Paraguayan [[Chaco (South America)|Chaco]] and established [[Fernheim Colony (Boquerón Department, Paraguay)|Fernheim Colony]]. This number included 50 Mennonites who came from [[Poland|Poland]] and 367 who came from Russia by way of Harbin, [[People's Republic of China|China]]. In the Fernheim migration three Mennonite branches were represented—Mennonites (in the 1950s [[General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM)|General Conference Mennonite]]), [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren]], and a small number of <em>[[Allianz Gemeinden|Allianz Gemeinde]] (</em>corresponding to the [[Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches|Evangelical Mennonite Brethren]]).
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Penniless, these refugees needed help and received it from European and North American Mennonites and also from non-Mennonite Germans. Where these people should be settled permanently was a problem. [[Germany|Germany]] seemed at that time unable to keep them and doors to the United States and Canada, where they preferred to go, were now closed for the great majority. The [[Mennonite Central Committee (International)|Mennonite Central Committee ]] (MCC) came to their aid and after studying the matter as thoroughly as was possible in the short time at its disposal recommended Paraguay. [[Brazil|Brazil]] was also open and a minority decided to migrate to that country. But Paraguay was one of the very few countries which promised them the freedom they desired and which at the same time was willing to receive the aged, ill, and crippled along with the others. [[Bender, Harold Stauffer (1897-1962)|Harold S. Bender]] was sent as the MCC representative to [[Germany|Germany]] in January 1930, to help arrange and organize the movement to Paraguay. In Paraguay the MCC arranged for the purchase of land from ''Corporación Paraguaya ''next to Menno Colony. In 1930-1932 a total of slightly more than 2,000 persons from Russia migrated to the Paraguayan [[Chaco (South America)|Chaco]] and established [[Fernheim Colony (Boquerón Department, Paraguay)|Fernheim Colony]]. This number included 50 Mennonites who came from [[Poland|Poland]] and 367 who came from Russia by way of Harbin, [[People's Republic of China|China]]. In the Fernheim migration three Mennonite branches were represented—Mennonites (in the 1950s [[General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM)|General Conference Mennonite]]), [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren]], and a small number of ''[[Allianz Gemeinden|Allianz Gemeinde]] (''corresponding to the [[Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches|Evangelical Mennonite Brethren]]).
  
Other than the small temporary settlement at Horqueta near Concepción, the third Mennonite settlement to be established in Paraguay was [[Friesland Colony (San Pedro Department, Paraguay) |Friesland]]. This colony was founded by Fernheim settlers who were dissatisfied with the hot and dry [[Chaco (South America)|Chaco]] and many of whom were also opposed to the colony cooperative. After investigating several places in eastern Paraguay the group decided to settle about 45 km east of the Paraguay River port of Rosario, or slightly over 160 km northeast of Asunción. The exodus from Fernheim occurred during the winter months of 1937, and by September 748 persons had settled and established Friesland Colony. The pattern of the new settlement was similar to that of Fernheim—settlement in villages; it also had the same religious organizations ([[General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM)|General Conference Mennonite]] and [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren]]) except that very few families of the <em>Allianz Gemeinde </em>had migrated. In time even a business cooperative, which had been so disliked in Fernheim, was formed, but membership was made voluntary. The exodus from Fernheim weakened that colony and caused some bitterness. The Mennonite Central Committee discouraged the movement and gave no assistance to the new settlement until some years later. Economically, progress in the Friesland settlement was disappointing as in the other colonies.
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Other than the small temporary settlement at Horqueta near Concepción, the third Mennonite settlement to be established in Paraguay was [[Friesland Colony (San Pedro Department, Paraguay) |Friesland]]. This colony was founded by Fernheim settlers who were dissatisfied with the hot and dry [[Chaco (South America)|Chaco]] and many of whom were also opposed to the colony cooperative. After investigating several places in eastern Paraguay the group decided to settle about 45 km east of the Paraguay River port of Rosario, or slightly over 160 km northeast of Asunción. The exodus from Fernheim occurred during the winter months of 1937, and by September 748 persons had settled and established Friesland Colony. The pattern of the new settlement was similar to that of Fernheim—settlement in villages; it also had the same religious organizations ([[General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM)|General Conference Mennonite]] and [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren]]) except that very few families of the ''Allianz Gemeinde ''had migrated. In time even a business cooperative, which had been so disliked in Fernheim, was formed, but membership was made voluntary. The exodus from Fernheim weakened that colony and caused some bitterness. The Mennonite Central Committee discouraged the movement and gave no assistance to the new settlement until some years later. Economically, progress in the Friesland settlement was disappointing as in the other colonies.
  
 
In both Fernheim and Friesland considerable dissatisfaction with Paraguay manifested itself during the 1930s and early 1940s and not a little pro-German and pro-Nazi sympathy developed, especially in Friesland, but also in Fernheim; none, however, in Menno. The percentage of persons with pro-German sympathies was higher in Friesland, but the turmoil and problems resulting from the sympathy was greater in Fernheim. For a while there was more talk of returning to Europe than of further Mennonite migrations to Paraguay, and some actually returned to Germany during the war. After the war, however, this feeling disappeared, and there were actually new Mennonite migrations to Paraguay.
 
In both Fernheim and Friesland considerable dissatisfaction with Paraguay manifested itself during the 1930s and early 1940s and not a little pro-German and pro-Nazi sympathy developed, especially in Friesland, but also in Fernheim; none, however, in Menno. The percentage of persons with pro-German sympathies was higher in Friesland, but the turmoil and problems resulting from the sympathy was greater in Fernheim. For a while there was more talk of returning to Europe than of further Mennonite migrations to Paraguay, and some actually returned to Germany during the war. After the war, however, this feeling disappeared, and there were actually new Mennonite migrations to Paraguay.
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The [[Hutterian Brethren (Hutterische Brüder)|Hutterian Brethren]], distantly related to the Mennonites, in 1941 also formed a settlement in eastern Paraguay next to the Mennonite settlement of Friesland. Of a heterogeneous European background, the group numbered 350 in 1941 and grew to 604 by 1950. This [[Bruderhof|Bruderhof]] was called Primavera. In 1961 they sold their land to Friesland, and most immigrated to the United States.
 
The [[Hutterian Brethren (Hutterische Brüder)|Hutterian Brethren]], distantly related to the Mennonites, in 1941 also formed a settlement in eastern Paraguay next to the Mennonite settlement of Friesland. Of a heterogeneous European background, the group numbered 350 in 1941 and grew to 604 by 1950. This [[Bruderhof|Bruderhof]] was called Primavera. In 1961 they sold their land to Friesland, and most immigrated to the United States.
  
As to the future of the Mennonites in Paraguay, no one, of course, can speak with certainty. Some groups were better satisfied and more stable than others. Menno Colony, as noted, was the most stable. Fernheim perhaps comes next, although a few were still leaving. In the newer colonies of Neuland and [[Volendam Colony (San Pedro Department, Paraguay)|Volendam]] there was considerable dissatisfaction and quite a few have left—and were still leaving—mostly for Canada, where many had relatives. The economic and cultural backwardness of Paraguay together with its political instability contributed to this unrest. Climate, insects, transportation difficulties, and lack of adequate markets also made the struggle hard. On the other hand, many appreciated greatly the freedom they had and were willing to continue in hope that most of the discouraging conditions would improve. In this they were probably correct. For progress has been made, and more was likely to be made in the future. -- <em>Willard H. Smith</em>
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As to the future of the Mennonites in Paraguay, no one, of course, can speak with certainty. Some groups were better satisfied and more stable than others. Menno Colony, as noted, was the most stable. Fernheim perhaps comes next, although a few were still leaving. In the newer colonies of Neuland and [[Volendam Colony (San Pedro Department, Paraguay)|Volendam]] there was considerable dissatisfaction and quite a few have left—and were still leaving—mostly for Canada, where many had relatives. The economic and cultural backwardness of Paraguay together with its political instability contributed to this unrest. Climate, insects, transportation difficulties, and lack of adequate markets also made the struggle hard. On the other hand, many appreciated greatly the freedom they had and were willing to continue in hope that most of the discouraging conditions would improve. In this they were probably correct. For progress has been made, and more was likely to be made in the future. -- ''Willard H. Smith''
  
 
The Mennonites in the Mennonite colonies of Paraguay were distributed as follows:
 
The Mennonites in the Mennonite colonies of Paraguay were distributed as follows:
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While the population of Paraguay grew from 1 million (1930) to 3.5 million (1987) to 6.2 million (2004), this still was only fifteen inhabitants per square kilometer. Immigration remained low though the immigration laws were very favorable. The [[Privileges (Privilegia)|privileges]] granted to the Mennonites in 1921, confirmed in law No. 514, remained intact. This led to further immigration of Mennonites, especially from [[Mexico|Mexico]] after 1969. Total Mennonite membership in Paraguay was estimated in 1987 at 14,000. Though they enjoyed special privileges, Mennonites were still well received in Paraguay, particularly by the government, due in large part to the strength of their economic contribution, particularly their [[Cooperatives|cooperative]] approach to economics.
 
While the population of Paraguay grew from 1 million (1930) to 3.5 million (1987) to 6.2 million (2004), this still was only fifteen inhabitants per square kilometer. Immigration remained low though the immigration laws were very favorable. The [[Privileges (Privilegia)|privileges]] granted to the Mennonites in 1921, confirmed in law No. 514, remained intact. This led to further immigration of Mennonites, especially from [[Mexico|Mexico]] after 1969. Total Mennonite membership in Paraguay was estimated in 1987 at 14,000. Though they enjoyed special privileges, Mennonites were still well received in Paraguay, particularly by the government, due in large part to the strength of their economic contribution, particularly their [[Cooperatives|cooperative]] approach to economics.
  
Several North American Mennonite-related groups have attempted migrations to Paraguay during the last 30 years, including [[Old Order Amish|Old Order Amish]] (1967-1978) at Fernheim Colony and [[Beachy Amish Mennonite Fellowship|Beachy Amish Mennonites]] (1967- ) at [[Luz y Esperanza Colony (Paraguay)|Luz y Esperanza Colony]].  -- <em>Peter P. Klassen</em>
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Several North American Mennonite-related groups have attempted migrations to Paraguay during the last 30 years, including [[Old Order Amish|Old Order Amish]] (1967-1978) at Fernheim Colony and [[Beachy Amish Mennonite Fellowship|Beachy Amish Mennonites]] (1967- ) at [[Luz y Esperanza Colony (Paraguay)|Luz y Esperanza Colony]].  -- ''Peter P. Klassen''
  
 
See also: [[Agua Azul Colony (Canendiyú, Paraguay)|Agua Azul Colony]]; [[Bergthal Colony (Caaguazú Department, Paraguay)|Bergthal Colony]]; [[Bergthal Mennonites|Bergthal Mennonites]]; [[Convención de las Iglesias Evangélicas Chulupí|Convención de las Iglesias Evangélicas Chulupi]]; [[Convención de las Iglesias Evangélicas de los Hermanos Lenguas |Convención de las Iglesias Evangélicas de los Hermanos Lenguas]]; [[Convención de las Iglesias Evangélicas de las Indigenas, Paraguay|Convención Evangélica Menonita Indiginista]]; [[Evangelical Mennonite Conference (Kleine Gemeinde)|Evangelical Mennonite Conference (Kleine Gemeinde)]]; [[Fernheim Colony (Boquerón Department, Paraguay)|Fernheim Colony]]; [[Friesland Colony (San Pedro Department, Paraguay) |Friesland Colony]]; [[Asociación Caritativa de los Hermanos Menonitas del Paraguay |Konferenz der Mennonitischen Brüdergemeinden von Paraguay]]; [[Licht den Indianern (Light to the Indians) |Licht den Indianern]]; [[Luz y Esperanza Colony (Paraguay)|Luz y Esperanza Colony]]; [[Manitoba Colony (Paraguay)|Manitoba Colony, Paraguay]]; [[Menno Colony (Alto Paraguay Department, Paraguay)|Menno Colony]]; [[Mennonitisches Missionskomitee für Paraguay (MMKfP)|Mennonitisches Missionskomitee für Paraguay]]; [[La Montaña Colony (Paraguay)|[La] Montana Colony]]; [[Neuland Colony (Boquerón Department, Paraguay)|Neuland Colony]]; [[Old Colony Mennonites|Old Colony Mennonites]]; [[Reinfeld Colony (Misiones Department, Paraguay)|Reinfeld Colony]]; [[Rio Corrientes Colony (Paraguay)|Rio Corrientes Colony]]; [[Rio Verde Colony (San Pedro Department, Paraguay)|Rio Verde Colony]]; [[Santa Clara Colony (Paraguay)|Santa Clara Colony]]; [[Sommerfeld Colony (Caaguazú Department, Paraguay)|Sommerfeld Colony, Paraguay]]; [[Sommerfeld Mennonites|Sommerfeld Mennonites]]; [[Tres Palmas Colony (Paraguay)|Tres Palmas Colony]]; [[Vermittlungskomitee|Vermittlungskomitee]]; [[Volendam Colony (San Pedro Department, Paraguay)|Volendam Colony]].
 
See also: [[Agua Azul Colony (Canendiyú, Paraguay)|Agua Azul Colony]]; [[Bergthal Colony (Caaguazú Department, Paraguay)|Bergthal Colony]]; [[Bergthal Mennonites|Bergthal Mennonites]]; [[Convención de las Iglesias Evangélicas Chulupí|Convención de las Iglesias Evangélicas Chulupi]]; [[Convención de las Iglesias Evangélicas de los Hermanos Lenguas |Convención de las Iglesias Evangélicas de los Hermanos Lenguas]]; [[Convención de las Iglesias Evangélicas de las Indigenas, Paraguay|Convención Evangélica Menonita Indiginista]]; [[Evangelical Mennonite Conference (Kleine Gemeinde)|Evangelical Mennonite Conference (Kleine Gemeinde)]]; [[Fernheim Colony (Boquerón Department, Paraguay)|Fernheim Colony]]; [[Friesland Colony (San Pedro Department, Paraguay) |Friesland Colony]]; [[Asociación Caritativa de los Hermanos Menonitas del Paraguay |Konferenz der Mennonitischen Brüdergemeinden von Paraguay]]; [[Licht den Indianern (Light to the Indians) |Licht den Indianern]]; [[Luz y Esperanza Colony (Paraguay)|Luz y Esperanza Colony]]; [[Manitoba Colony (Paraguay)|Manitoba Colony, Paraguay]]; [[Menno Colony (Alto Paraguay Department, Paraguay)|Menno Colony]]; [[Mennonitisches Missionskomitee für Paraguay (MMKfP)|Mennonitisches Missionskomitee für Paraguay]]; [[La Montaña Colony (Paraguay)|[La] Montana Colony]]; [[Neuland Colony (Boquerón Department, Paraguay)|Neuland Colony]]; [[Old Colony Mennonites|Old Colony Mennonites]]; [[Reinfeld Colony (Misiones Department, Paraguay)|Reinfeld Colony]]; [[Rio Corrientes Colony (Paraguay)|Rio Corrientes Colony]]; [[Rio Verde Colony (San Pedro Department, Paraguay)|Rio Verde Colony]]; [[Santa Clara Colony (Paraguay)|Santa Clara Colony]]; [[Sommerfeld Colony (Caaguazú Department, Paraguay)|Sommerfeld Colony, Paraguay]]; [[Sommerfeld Mennonites|Sommerfeld Mennonites]]; [[Tres Palmas Colony (Paraguay)|Tres Palmas Colony]]; [[Vermittlungskomitee|Vermittlungskomitee]]; [[Volendam Colony (San Pedro Department, Paraguay)|Volendam Colony]].
  
= 2013 Update =
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= 2020 Update =
  
In 2012 the following Anabaptist groups were active in Paraguay:
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In 2020 the following Anabaptist groups were active in Paraguay:
  
<div align="center">
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{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; text-align:right"  
{| class="wikitable"
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
!Denominations
 
!Denominations
 
!Congregations<br>in 2000
 
!Congregations<br>in 2000
 
!Members<br>in 2000
 
!Members<br>in 2000
!Congregations<br>in 2003
 
!Members<br>in 2003
 
!Congregations<br>in 2006
 
!Members<br>in 2006
 
 
!Congregations<br>in 2009
 
!Congregations<br>in 2009
 
!Members<br>in 2009
 
!Members<br>in 2009
!Congregations<br>in 2012
+
!Congregations<br>in 2020
!Members<br>in 2012
+
!Members<br>in 2020
 
|-
 
|-
|Altkolonier Mennonitengemeinde (Colonia Manitoba)
+
| align= "left" | Altkolonier Mennonitengemeinde (Colonia Manitoba)
|style="text-align: right;" |1
+
| 1
|style="text-align: right;" |239
+
| 239
|style="text-align: right;" |1
+
| 1
|style="text-align: right;" |257
+
| 325
|style="text-align: right;" |1
+
| 3
|style="text-align: right;" |287
+
| 409
|style="text-align: right;" |1
 
|style="text-align: right;" |325
 
|style="text-align: right;" |3
 
|style="text-align: right;" |375
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Altkolonier Mennonitengemeinde (Colonia Nueva Durango)
+
| align= "left" | Altkolonier Mennonitengemeinde (Colonia Nueva Durango)
|style="text-align: right;" |1
+
| 1
|style="text-align: right;" |600
+
| 600
|style="text-align: right;" |2
+
| 3
|style="text-align: right;" |650
+
| 687
|style="text-align: right;" |2
+
| 3
|style="text-align: right;" |750
+
| 786
|style="text-align: right;" |3
 
|style="text-align: right;" |687
 
|style="text-align: right;" |3
 
|style="text-align: right;" |756
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Altkolonier Mennonitengemeinde (Colonia Rio Verde)
+
| align= "left" | Altkolonier Mennonitengemeinde (Colonia Rio Verde)
 
|  
 
|  
|style="text-align: right;" |1,263
+
| 1,263
|style="text-align: right;" |6
+
| 6
|style="text-align: right;" |1,263
+
| 1,521
|style="text-align: right;" |6
+
| 6
|style="text-align: right;" |1,521
+
| 1,408
|style="text-align: right;" |6
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1,521
 
|style="text-align: right;" |6
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1,436
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Amish Mennonites
+
| align= "left" | Bergthaler Mennonitengemeinde (Colonia Bergtal)
| 
+
| 1
| 
+
| 867
| 
+
| 5
| 
+
| 980
| 
+
| 5
| 
+
| 1,123
| 
 
 
|style="text-align: right;" |2
 
|style="text-align: right;" |41
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Bergthaler Mennonitengemeinde (Paraguay)
+
| align= "left" | [[Church of God in Christ, Mennonite (CGC)|Church of God in Christ, Mennonite]] (Paraguay)
|style="text-align: right;" |1
 
|style="text-align: right;" |867
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1
 
|style="text-align: right;" |913
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1
 
|style="text-align: right;" |943
 
|style="text-align: right;" |5
 
|style="text-align: right;" |980
 
|style="text-align: right;" |5
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1,078
 
|-
 
|Confraternidad Evangélica Menonita del Paraguay (CEMP)
 
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
 +
| 1
 +
| 6
 +
|-
 +
| align= "left" | Confraternidad Evangélica Menonita del Paraguay (CEMP)
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
|style="text-align: right;" |13
+
| 13
|style="text-align: right;" |325
+
| 325
|style="text-align: right;" |14
+
| 14
|style="text-align: right;" |300
+
| 300
 
|-
 
|-
|Conservative (Plain) Mennonites
+
| align= "left" | [[Convención de los Pastores de las Iglesias Mennonitas del Paraguay|Vereinigung der Mennonitengemeinden von Paraguay]] / Convención de los Pastores de las Iglesias Mennonitas del Paraguay
+
| 19
| 
+
| 7,350
+
| 20
| 
+
| 7,399
| 
+
| 21
| 
+
| 8,900
| 
 
| 
 
|style="text-align: right;" |5
 
|style="text-align: right;" |192
 
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Convención Evangélica de Iglesias Paraguayas Hermanos Menonitas |Convención Evangélica de Iglesias Paraguayas de los Hermanos Menonitas]]
+
| align= "left" | [[Convención Evangélica de Iglesias Paraguayas Hermanos Menonitas |Convención Evangélica de Iglesias Paraguayas de los Hermanos Menonitas]]
|style="text-align: right;" |60
+
| 60
|style="text-align: right;" |2,950
+
| 2,950
|style="text-align: right;" |69
+
| 53
|style="text-align: right;" |3,052
+
| 3,150
|style="text-align: right;" |76
+
| 58
|style="text-align: right;" |3,500
+
| 3,256
|style="text-align: right;" |53
 
|style="text-align: right;" |3,150
 
|style="text-align: right;" |65
 
|style="text-align: right;" |3,500
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Convención Evangélica Hermanos Menonitas Enlhet
+
| align= "left" | Convención Evangélica Hermanos Menonitas Enlhet
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
 +
| 7
 +
| 2,125
 +
| 8
 +
| 3,016
 +
|-
 +
| align= "left" | Convención Evangélica Mennonita Lengua
 +
| 7
 +
| 1,825
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
 +
 +
 +
|-
 +
| align= "left" | Convención Evangélicas Hermanos Menonitas Nivaclé
 +
| 8
 +
| 1,922
 +
| 10
 +
| 3,561
 +
| 12
 +
| 2,600
 +
|-
 +
| align= "left" | Convención Evangélica Hermanos Menonitas Guaraní Ñandeva
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
|style="text-align: right;" |7
 
|style="text-align: right;" |2,125
 
|style="text-align: right;" |7
 
|style="text-align: right;" |2,300
 
|-
 
|Convención Evangélica Mennonita Lengua
 
|style="text-align: right;" |7
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1,825
 
|style="text-align: right;" |7
 
|style="text-align: right;" |2,084
 
|style="text-align: right;" |7
 
|style="text-align: right;" |2,070
 
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
| 
+
| 11
| 
+
| 730
 
|-
 
|-
|Convención Evangélica Menonita Paraguaya
+
| align= "left" | Convención Evangélica Menonita Paraguaya
|style="text-align: right;" |27
+
| 27
|style="text-align: right;" |920
+
| 920
|style="text-align: right;" |27
+
| 47
|style="text-align: right;" |1,203
+
| 1,707
|style="text-align: right;" |32
+
| 40
|style="text-align: right;" |1,450
+
| 2,161
|style="text-align: right;" |47
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1,707
 
|style="text-align: right;" |47
 
|style="text-align: right;" |2,182
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Convención Iglesias Evangélicas Hermanos Menonitas Nivaclé
+
| align= "left" | [[Convención de las Iglesias Evangélicas Unidas, Paraguay |Convención Iglesias Evangélicas Unidas]] - Enlhet Paraguay /<br /> Convención de las Iglesias Evangélicas Unidas Enlhet Paraguay Chaco Central
|style="text-align: right;" |8
+
| 14
|style="text-align: right;" |1,922
+
| 4,600
|style="text-align: right;" |8
+
| 15
|style="text-align: right;" |2,260
+
| 4,162
|style="text-align: right;" |9
+
| 16
|style="text-align: right;" |2,260
+
| 5,257
|style="text-align: right;" |10
 
|style="text-align: right;" |3,561
 
|style="text-align: right;" |11
 
|style="text-align: right;" |2,250
 
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Convención de las Iglesias Evangélicas Unidas, Paraguay |Convención Iglesias Evangélicas Unidas]] - Enlhet Paraguay / Convención de las Iglesias Evangélicas Unidas Enlhet Paraguay Chaco Central
+
| align= "left" | [[Eastern Pennsylvania Mennonite Church]] (Paraguay)
|style="text-align: right;" |14
+
|  
|style="text-align: right;" |4,600
+
|  
|style="text-align: right;" |14
+
| 3
|style="text-align: right;" |4,032
+
| 118
|style="text-align: right;" |15
+
| 4
|style="text-align: right;" |4,049
+
| 165
|style="text-align: right;" |15
 
|style="text-align: right;" |4,162
 
|style="text-align: right;" |16
 
|style="text-align: right;" |4,250
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Evangelische Mennoniten Gemeinde
+
| align= "left" | Evangelische Mennoniten Gemeinde
|style="text-align: right;" |1
+
| 1
|style="text-align: right;" |201
+
| 201
|style="text-align: right;" |1
+
| 1
|style="text-align: right;" |275
+
| 372
|style="text-align: right;" |1
+
| 1
|style="text-align: right;" |339
+
| 885
|style="text-align: right;" |1
 
|style="text-align: right;" |372
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1
 
|style="text-align: right;" |416
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Evangelische Mennonitengemeinde
+
| align= "left" | Evangelische Mennonitengemeinde
|style="text-align: right;" |3
+
| 3
|style="text-align: right;" |105
+
| 105
|style="text-align: right;" |3
+
| 2
|style="text-align: right;" |118
+
| 143
|style="text-align: right;" |2
+
| 1
|style="text-align: right;" |103
+
| 61
|style="text-align: right;" |2
 
|style="text-align: right;" |143
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1
 
|style="text-align: right;" |48
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Evangelische Mennonitengemeinde Neues Leben
+
| align= "left" | Evangelische Mennonitengemeinde Neues Leben
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1
+
| 1
|style="text-align: right;" |46
+
| 54
 
|-
 
|-
|Evangelische Mennonitengemeinde Tres Palmas
+
| align= "left" | Evangelische Mennonitengemeinde Tres Palmas
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1
+
| 1
|style="text-align: right;" |92
+
| 92
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Konferenz der Evangelischen Mennonitischen Bruderschaft von Südamerika|Evangelische Mennonitische Bruderschaft]]
+
| align= "left" | [[Konferenz der Evangelischen Mennonitischen Bruderschaft von Südamerika|Evangelische Mennonitische Bruderschaft]]
|style="text-align: right;" |1
+
| 1
|style="text-align: right;" |450
+
| 450
|style="text-align: right;" |1
+
| 1
|style="text-align: right;" |455
+
| 500
|style="text-align: right;" |1
 
|style="text-align: right;" |750
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1
 
|style="text-align: right;" |500
 
 
 
 
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Hermandad Cristiana de Paraguay / [[Beachy Amish Mennonite Fellowship]]
+
| align= "left" | Hermandad Cristiana de Paraguay / [[Beachy Amish Mennonite Fellowship]]
|style="text-align: right;" |3
+
| 3
|style="text-align: right;" |78
+
| 78
|style="text-align: right;" |2
+
| 2
|style="text-align: right;" |87
+
| 99
|style="text-align: right;" |2
+
| 2
|style="text-align: right;" |87
+
| 93
|style="text-align: right;" |2
 
|style="text-align: right;" |99
 
|style="text-align: right;" |2
 
|style="text-align: right;" |93
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Iglesia Hermandad Evangélica Mennonita - Filadelfia
+
| align= "left" | Iglesia Hermandad Evangélica Mennonita - Filadelfia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
+
| 7
+
| 970
 
|style="text-align: right;" |7
 
|style="text-align: right;" |908
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Iglesias Evangélicas Hermanos Menonitas Guaraní Ñandeva / Convención Evangélica Hermanos Menonitas Guaraní Ñandeva
+
| align= "left" | Iglesias Evangélicas Hermanos Menonitas Guaraní Ñandeva /<br />Convención Evangélica Hermanos Menonitas Guaraní Ñandeva
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
|style="text-align: right;" |7
+
| 7
|style="text-align: right;" |550
+
| 550
|style="text-align: right;" |10
+
| 10
|style="text-align: right;" |620
+
| 620
 
|-
 
|-
|Iglesias Guaraní Ñandeva
+
| align= "left" | Iglesias Guaraní Ñandeva
|style="text-align: right;" |8
+
| 8
|style="text-align: right;" |550
+
| 550
|style="text-align: right;" |8
 
|style="text-align: right;" |550
 
|style="text-align: right;" |8
 
|style="text-align: right;" |550
 
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
Line 373: Line 296:
 
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Independent &amp; Unaffiliated
+
| align= "left" | Independent &amp; Unaffiliated
|
 
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
|
+
| 5
|style="text-align: right;" |5
+
| 180
|style="text-align: right;" |190
 
|style="text-align: right;" |5
 
|style="text-align: right;" |180
 
 
 
 
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Mennonite Christian Brotherhood (Agua Azul)
+
| align= "left" | Mennonite Christian Fellowship (Paraguay)
|style="text-align: right;" |1
+
| 1
|style="text-align: right;" |30
+
| 30
|style="text-align: right;" |1
+
| 1
|style="text-align: right;" |38
+
| 35
|  
+
| 2
|  
+
| 47
|  
+
|-
|  
+
| align= "left" | Mennoniten Evangeliums Kirche
 
 
 
 
|-
 
|Mennoniten Evangeliums Kirche
 
 
 
 
 
 +
| 1
 +
| 41
 +
|-
 +
| align= "left" | Misión Evangélica Menonita
 +
| 13
 +
| 192
 +
|
 +
|
 
 
 
 
 +
|-
 +
| align= "left" | [[Nationwide Fellowship Churches]] (Paraguay)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1
+
| 1
|style="text-align: right;" |37
+
| 41
 +
|-
 +
| align= "left" | Reinfelder Mennoniten Gemeinde (Colonia Reinfeld)
 +
| 1
 +
| 66
 +
| 1
 +
| 80
 +
| 1
 +
| 114
 
|-
 
|-
|Misión Evangélica Menonita
+
| align= "left" | Sommerfelder Mennonitengemeinde (Colonia Sommerfeld)
|style="text-align: right;" |13
 
|style="text-align: right;" |192
 
|style="text-align: right;" |14
 
|style="text-align: right;" |210
 
|style="text-align: right;" |16
 
|style="text-align: right;" |335
 
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
 
|  
| 
+
| 6
| 
+
| 1,032
 +
| 7
 +
| 1,280
 +
|-
 +
| align= "left" | Sommerfelder Mennonitengemeinden (Colonia Santa Clara)
 +
| 1
 +
| 137
 +
| 1
 +
| 124
 +
| 1
 +
| 123
 +
|-
 +
| align= "left" | Vereinigung der Mennoniten Brüdergemeinden Paraguays /<br />[[Asociación Caritativa de los Hermanos Menonitas del Paraguay |Asociación Caritativa de los Hermanos Menonitas del Paraguay]]
 +
| 7
 +
| 1,593
 +
| 26
 +
| 3,195
 +
| 32
 +
| 3,750
 +
|-
 +
| align= "left" | '''Total'''
 +
| '''177'''
 +
| '''25,938'''
 +
| '''236'''
 +
| '''32,370'''
 +
| '''270'''
 +
| '''38,288'''
 +
|}
 +
= Mennonite Colonies in Paraguay in 2023 =
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; text-align:right"
 +
|+
 +
! Colony
 +
!Year
 +
established
 +
!No. of
 +
immigrants
 +
!Origin
 +
!Population
 +
(2023)
 +
|-
 +
|align= "left" | Menno
 +
|1927
 +
|1257
 +
|Canada
 +
|10,994
 +
|-
 +
|align= "left" | Fernheim
 +
|1930
 +
|2,015
 +
|Russia
 +
|4,996
 +
|-
 +
|align= "left" | Neuland
 +
|1947
 +
|2,474
 +
|Russia
 +
|2,000
 +
|-
 +
|align= "left" | Friesland
 +
|1937
 +
|745
 +
|Russia
 +
|648
 +
|-
 +
|align= "left" | Volendam
 +
|1947
 +
|1,913
 +
|Russia
 +
|541
 +
|-
 +
|align= "left" | Sommerfeld
 +
|1948
 +
|973
 +
|Canada
 +
|5,091
 +
|-
 +
|align= "left" | Bergthal
 +
|1948
 +
|736
 +
|Canada
 +
|3,846
 +
|-
 +
|align= "left" | Reinfeld
 +
|1966
 +
|no data
 +
|Canada
 +
|370
 +
|-
 +
|align= "left" | Luz y Esperanza
 +
|1967
 +
|24
 +
|USA
 +
|200
 +
|-
 +
|align= "left" | Rio Verda /Nuevo Mexico
 +
|1969
 +
|107
 +
|Mexico
 +
|3,660
 +
|-
 +
|align= "left" | Belleza
 +
|no data
 +
|no data
 +
|USA
 +
|90
 +
|-
 +
|align= "left" | Agua Azul
 +
|1969
 +
|no data
 +
|USA
 +
|64
 +
|-
 +
|align= "left" | Tres Palmas
 +
|1970
 +
|20 families
 +
|Canada/Russia
 +
|179
 +
|-
 +
|align= "left" | Santa Clara
 +
|1972
 +
|52
 +
|Mexico
 +
|300
 +
|-
 +
|align= "left" | Florida
 +
|1976
 +
|56
 +
|USA
 +
|150
 +
|-
 +
|align= "left" | Nueva Durango
 +
|1978
 +
|389
 +
|Mexico
 +
|2,490
 
|-
 
|-
|Reinfelder Mennoniten Gemeinde (Colonia Reinfeld)
+
|align= "left" | La Montana
|style="text-align: right;" |1
+
|1982
|style="text-align: right;" |66
+
|70
|style="text-align: right;" |1
+
|USA
|style="text-align: right;" |66
+
|300
|style="text-align: right;" |1
 
|style="text-align: right;" |66
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1
 
|style="text-align: right;" |80
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1
 
|style="text-align: right;" |80
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Sommerfelder Mennonitengemeinde (Colonia Sommerfeld)
+
|align= "left" | Manitoba
|
+
|1983
|
+
|no data
|style="text-align: right;" |2
+
|Mexico
|style="text-align: right;" |1,182
+
|1,328
|style="text-align: right;" |2
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1,220
 
|style="text-align: right;" |6
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1,032
 
|style="text-align: right;" |7
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1,165
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Sommerfelder Mennonitengemeinden (Colonia Santa Clara)
+
|align= "left" | Asuncion
|style="text-align: right;" |1
+
|****
|style="text-align: right;" |137
+
|no data
|style="text-align: right;" |1
+
|(from the colonies)
|style="text-align: right;" |144
+
|1,600
|style="text-align: right;" |1
 
|style="text-align: right;" |130
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1
 
|style="text-align: right;" |124
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1
 
|style="text-align: right;" |137
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Vereinigung der Mennoniten Brüdergemeinden Paraguays / [[Asociación Caritativa de los Hermanos Menonitas del Paraguay |Asociación Caritativa de los Hermanos Menonitas del Paraguay]]
+
|align= "left" | Madelon
|style="text-align: right;" |7
+
|****
|style="text-align: right;" |1,593
+
|no data
|style="text-align: right;" |7
+
|Durango (Paraguay)
|style="text-align: right;" |1,623
+
|410
|style="text-align: right;" |7
 
|style="text-align: right;" |1,623
 
|style="text-align: right;" |26
 
|style="text-align: right;" |3,195
 
|style="text-align: right;" |30
 
|style="text-align: right;" |3,112
 
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Convención de los Pastores de las Iglesias Mennonitas del Paraguay|Vereinigung der Mennonitengemeinden von Paraguay]] / Convención de los Pastores de las Iglesias Mennonitas del Paraguay
+
|align= "left" | Monte Claro
|style="text-align: right;" |19
+
|****
|style="text-align: right;" |7,350
+
|no data
|style="text-align: right;" |19
+
|Rio Verde (Paraguay)
|style="text-align: right;" |7,231
+
|350
|style="text-align: right;" |20
 
|style="text-align: right;" |7,238
 
|style="text-align: right;" |20
 
|style="text-align: right;" |7,399
 
|style="text-align: right;" |21
 
|style="text-align: right;" |7,837
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''Total'''
+
|align= "left" | '''Total Population'''
|style="text-align: right;" |'''177'''
+
|
|style="text-align: right;" |'''25,938'''
+
|
|style="text-align: right;" |'''195'''
+
|
|style="text-align: right;" |'''27,693'''
+
|'''39,607'''
|style="text-align: right;" |'''215'''
 
|style="text-align: right;" |'''29,461'''
 
|style="text-align: right;" |'''232'''
 
|style="text-align: right;" |'''32,217'''
 
|style="text-align: right;" |'''268'''
 
|style="text-align: right;" |'''33,251'''
 
 
|}
 
|}
</div>
+
This table was published in ''InfoBlatt''. 38. Jahrgang (May 2024): 24-25.
  
 
= Bibliography =
 
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Klassen, Peter P. ''Kaputi Mennonita: Eine friedliche Begegnung im Chacokrieg''. Filadelfia, Paraguay, 1975.
  
Klassen, Peter P. <em>Die Mennoniten In Paraguay: Reich Gottes und Reich dieser Welt</em>. Bolanden-Weiherhof: Mennonitischer Geschichtsverein, 1988.
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Klassen, Peter P. ''Die Mennoniten In Paraguay: Reich Gottes und Reich dieser Welt''. Bolanden-Weiherhof: Mennonitischer Geschichtsverein, 1988.
  
 
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Kraybill, Paul N., ed. <em class="gameo_bibliography">Mennonite World Handbook</em>. Lombard, IL: Mennonite World Conference, 1978: 242-60.
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Krier, Herbet. <em class="gameo_bibliography">Tapferes Paraguay, </em>4th ed. Tübingen, 1982.
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Krier, Herbet. ''Tapferes Paraguay, ''4th ed. Tübingen, 1982.
  
 
Kroeker, P. J. "Lenguas and Mennonites: A Study of Cultural Change in the Paraguayan Chaco, 1928-1970." Thesis, Wichita State University 1970.
 
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Lewis, Paul H. <em class="gameo_bibliography">Paraguay under Stroessner. </em>Chapel Hill, NC: U. of North Carolina, 1980.
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{{GAMEO_footer|hp=Vol. 4, pp. 117-119; vol. 5, pp. 672-674|date=May 2013|a1_last=Smith|a1_first=Willard H.|a2_last=Klassen|a2_first=Peter P.}}
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{{GAMEO_footer|hp=Vol. 4, pp. 117-119; vol. 5, pp. 672-674|date=2013, 2024|a1_last=Smith|a1_first=Willard H.|a2_last=Klassen|a2_first=Peter P.}}
 
[[Category:Countries]]
 
[[Category:Countries]]

Latest revision as of 02:15, 25 July 2024

Introduction

Source: World Factbook, 2006

The Republic of Paraguay is a landlocked country in South America, bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. The area of Paraguay is 406,752 km2 (157,048 square miles). The Paraguay River (Rio Paraguay) runs through the center of the country from north to south and divides the country into two regions, Eastern Paraguay (also known as the Paraná region) and Western Paraguay (also known as the Chaco). 

Paraguay was first settled by semi-nomadic tribes called the Guaraní people. The first Europeans arrived from Spain in 1516. Paraguay became independent from Spain in 1811 and from Argentina in 1842. The nation's governments have been dominated by dictatorships and short-lived governments who presidents were often removed from office by force. Paraguay fought against Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay from 1864 to 1870 and suffered terrible losses of life. The Chaco War with Bolivia in the 1930s resulted in the re-establishment of soveriegnty over the Chaco region.

As of 2011 the population was estimated at 6,561,748. The capital and largest city is Asunción. The official languages are Spanish and Guaraní, both being widely spoken in the country. Approximately 80% of the population are Mestizo (mixed European and Amerindian). 

According to the 2002 census, 89.6% of the population is Roman Catholic, 6.2% is Evangelical Christian, 1.1% is other Christian, and 0.6% practice indigenous religions.

1959 Article

The Tropic of Capricorn runs through Paraguay at the line where almost equal parts lie on either side. Most of Paraguay proper, however, i.e., the part east of the Paraguay River, lies south of the line. Most of the Paraguayan Chaco, that part of the country west of the Paraguay River, lies in the Torrid Zone. The climate is, therefore, tropical and subtropical. Much of the year is mild, but there is a range from cool to very hot. In the summer months of December, January, and February the temperature frequently rises above 100° Fahrenheit (38° Celsius). It can also be hot in other months of the year, even in midwinter. Occasionally there are frosts even on the torrid side of Capricorn. In the drier winter months some parts of the country are at times subject to hot north winds and dust storms. The Paraguay River divides the country into unequal and quite different parts, the eastern section being more rolling and having more rainfall than the western. From the Paraguay River, where the elevation is low, to the Brazilian border on the east, the elevation rises to some highlands which average 1,500 feet or more above sea level. Unlike most of South America, Paraguay has no real mountains. Since transportation facilities within the country were very inadequate, the Paraguay and Parana Rivers were doubly important as channels of commerce.

The natural resources of Paraguay make it well fitted for agriculture. There was some industry in the 1950s and there probably will be more in the future, but the basic ingredients of a great industrial development—coal, or oil, and iron—are lacking. The agricultural products in the 1950s were cotton, tobacco, manioc, corn, sugar cane, rice, peanuts, yerba mate, citrus fruits, melons, sweet potatoes, beans and garden vegetables, pineapples, bananas, and other fruits. Lumbering was also important. In addition to the quebracho tree, which furnished tannin, there were some types of trees and grasses from which oils could be profitably extracted, including oil of petitgrain, tung, castor, and coconut oils. Cattle raising was an important industry, providing meat, meat extract, which was largely exported, and hides.

The people are largely a mixture of Spanish and Indigenous with the Indigenous (Guaraní) predominating. The number of pure Indigenous people and of pure Europeans is not large. There are some Spaniards, a few Italians, Germans, Englishmen, Slays, and others, besides the Mennonites, who are of Dutch and German ethnic origin.

The Spanish impact on Paraguay goes back to 1537 with the founding of the first settlement, Asuncion. During most of the colonial period Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay, served as the center from which the La Plata section of South America was administered. Since obtaining its independence from Spain in the second decade of the 19th century, Paraguay has had a checkered history. Three dictators dominated the political scene down to 1870, and since that time uprisings and revolutions of one kind or another frequently plagued the country. Disastrous foreign wars also contributed to the country's backwardness. One of these was the Chaco War in the 1930's, in which the Mennonites, by settling on territory in dispute between Paraguay and Bolivia, played an unintentional part.

Spain contributed her religious and cultural pattern to Paraguay. The great majority of the people in the 1950s were Roman Catholic, although the attachment on the part of many was no more than nominal. Religious and moral standards were quite low. The number of Protestants in Paraguay was not large, the Mennonites constituting the largest Protestant body. The educational level was also quite low, although the authorities were making heroic efforts to raise it.

It was into this environment that the Mennonites began to come in the 1920's. Some of the most conservative groups of the Mennonites from Western Canada, who had come from Russia in the 1870s, were the first to become interested in Paraguay. They prospered fairly well in Canada until World War I, when the Canadian government began to more fully nationalize its various ethnic elements. This effort included the passing of a law eliminating private elementary schools and, in the public schools, compelling the use of English and forbidding the teaching of religion. These conservative groups of German-speaking Mennonites considered this a serious curtailment of privileges promised them when they came to Canada, and they began to look for new countries to which they might emigrate. The Old Colony Mennonites in 1919-1920 investigated several countries in South America, but then decided to move to Mexico. Another conservative group composed of Sommerfelder, Chortitzer, and a few Bergthaler Mennonites then became interested in Paraguay. Oral promises of special privileges already made to the Old Colony group were now renewed and passed as a law in 1921. This famous and generous privilegium provided, among other things, that Mennonites and their descendants would have the right to practice their religion and to worship with complete and unrestricted liberty, to make simple affirmations in courts of justice, and to be exempt from obligatory military service, combatant and noncombatant, in time of peace and war. They were also given the right to maintain and administer their own schools and to teach their religion and their German language without restriction.

Because of the depression of 1921 and the difficulty of selling their land at satisfactory prices the group which became Menno Colony did not get started on their way to Paraguay until near the end of 1926. With those who came in 1927, a total of 1,778 souls arrived at the river port of Puerto Casado. Since their land, lying slightly more than 100 miles (160 km) west, bought from the specially formed Corporación Paraguaya, was not ready for settlement, these people were bitterly disappointed in their forced prolonged stay in and near Puerto Casado. In addition, tragedy struck in the form of typhoid and other diseases, taking a toll of over 200 lives. Over 300 disillusioned migrants returned to Canada. But the main body was finally able to settle on its own land in 1928 and the discontent was largely dissipated. Very few persons left this colony after actual settlement on the land. They settled in villages (fourteen in 1928), as had been the practice of their forefathers in Russia. This group, known as Menno Colony, was the first Mennonite settlement in South America and the most stable.

The names of a few non-Mennonites who helped in this venture should be mentioned. General Samuel McRoberts, a New York banker, was contacted by the Mennonites and his interest and help enlisted in the cause. He, together with another banker as a partner, Edward B. Robinette, helped the Mennonites dispose of their holdings in Canada and helped them, through Corporación Paraguaya, buy and settle on their lands in Paraguay. McRoberts hired a Norwegian, Fred Engen, to help him explore and select an area in which the Mennonites might be interested. It was Engen who suggested the Chaco area.

The next group of Mennonites who came to Paraguay were refugees from Russia. During the 1920s, as a result of the Communist revolution in Russia, some 21,000 Mennonites came to the United States and Canada, largely the latter. Other thousands, thinking the Communist storm would blow over, and lulled by the partial retreat from Communism under the New Economic Policy (NEP) following 1921, were less inclined to leave at that time. In 1929, after new and more persistent efforts to put Communism with its antireligious aspects into effect, the Mennonites realized too late that the emigration doors were pretty tightly closed. Nevertheless, out of the 13,000-15,000 said to have started for Moscow with the hope of escape, slightly less than 6,000 (including some non-Mennonites) were finally, on 25 November 1929, permitted to leave for Germany, which gave them temporary asylum.

Penniless, these refugees needed help and received it from European and North American Mennonites and also from non-Mennonite Germans. Where these people should be settled permanently was a problem. Germany seemed at that time unable to keep them and doors to the United States and Canada, where they preferred to go, were now closed for the great majority. The Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) came to their aid and after studying the matter as thoroughly as was possible in the short time at its disposal recommended Paraguay. Brazil was also open and a minority decided to migrate to that country. But Paraguay was one of the very few countries which promised them the freedom they desired and which at the same time was willing to receive the aged, ill, and crippled along with the others. Harold S. Bender was sent as the MCC representative to Germany in January 1930, to help arrange and organize the movement to Paraguay. In Paraguay the MCC arranged for the purchase of land from Corporación Paraguaya next to Menno Colony. In 1930-1932 a total of slightly more than 2,000 persons from Russia migrated to the Paraguayan Chaco and established Fernheim Colony. This number included 50 Mennonites who came from Poland and 367 who came from Russia by way of Harbin, China. In the Fernheim migration three Mennonite branches were represented—Mennonites (in the 1950s General Conference Mennonite), Mennonite Brethren, and a small number of Allianz Gemeinde (corresponding to the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren).

Other than the small temporary settlement at Horqueta near Concepción, the third Mennonite settlement to be established in Paraguay was Friesland. This colony was founded by Fernheim settlers who were dissatisfied with the hot and dry Chaco and many of whom were also opposed to the colony cooperative. After investigating several places in eastern Paraguay the group decided to settle about 45 km east of the Paraguay River port of Rosario, or slightly over 160 km northeast of Asunción. The exodus from Fernheim occurred during the winter months of 1937, and by September 748 persons had settled and established Friesland Colony. The pattern of the new settlement was similar to that of Fernheim—settlement in villages; it also had the same religious organizations (General Conference Mennonite and Mennonite Brethren) except that very few families of the Allianz Gemeinde had migrated. In time even a business cooperative, which had been so disliked in Fernheim, was formed, but membership was made voluntary. The exodus from Fernheim weakened that colony and caused some bitterness. The Mennonite Central Committee discouraged the movement and gave no assistance to the new settlement until some years later. Economically, progress in the Friesland settlement was disappointing as in the other colonies.

In both Fernheim and Friesland considerable dissatisfaction with Paraguay manifested itself during the 1930s and early 1940s and not a little pro-German and pro-Nazi sympathy developed, especially in Friesland, but also in Fernheim; none, however, in Menno. The percentage of persons with pro-German sympathies was higher in Friesland, but the turmoil and problems resulting from the sympathy was greater in Fernheim. For a while there was more talk of returning to Europe than of further Mennonite migrations to Paraguay, and some actually returned to Germany during the war. After the war, however, this feeling disappeared, and there were actually new Mennonite migrations to Paraguay.

In 1929, when the few thousand Mennonites were able to leave Russia, a larger number was forced to remain behind. During the course of the invasion and occupation of South Russia by the German army in 1941-1943, additional thousands of Mennonites fled from Russia to Western Europe. Though many were forced to return to Russia, about 4,500 persons immigrated to Paraguay in 1947-1948, besides the 162 persons who came with the group but remained in Buenos Aires. This new immigration to Paraguay was again due to the fact that the doors to other satisfactory countries were closed at this time. The International Refugee Relief Organization (IRO) gave the MCC generous assistance in moving these refugees to Paraguay, and the colonies of Fernheim, Menno, and Friesland helped the MCC to get the new immigrants settled on the land. A few of these people settled in Asunción or in the colonies already established, but the majority organized two new colonies. The new Chaco colony of Neuland, located a few miles south of Fernheim, had a population of 2,389 in 1948, and the new colony of Volendam, a few miles north of Rosario on the Paraguay River, had 1,172 inhabitants in that year. The movement to these colonies was somewhat retarded by the Paraguayan revolution of 1947, some groups having been forced to wait several months in Buenos Aires or Asunción.

The most recent Mennonite settlements in Paraguay were founded in 1948 by fellow believers of Menno Colony—Sommerfelder and Chortitzer Mennonites from southern Manitoba, and a smaller contingent from Saskatchewan. Migration conscious ever since the founding of Menno Colony and fearing the impact of continued secularization on their way of life, they finally decided to emigrate. Not satisfied with the Chaco, where their brethren had located, they founded two colonies, Sommerfeld and Bergthal, in southeastern Paraguay between Villarica and the Brazilian border. About 1700 persons emigrated, but because of disillusionment with the primitive and difficult situation they found some 600 returned to Canada in 1948-1950.

The Hutterian Brethren, distantly related to the Mennonites, in 1941 also formed a settlement in eastern Paraguay next to the Mennonite settlement of Friesland. Of a heterogeneous European background, the group numbered 350 in 1941 and grew to 604 by 1950. This Bruderhof was called Primavera. In 1961 they sold their land to Friesland, and most immigrated to the United States.

As to the future of the Mennonites in Paraguay, no one, of course, can speak with certainty. Some groups were better satisfied and more stable than others. Menno Colony, as noted, was the most stable. Fernheim perhaps comes next, although a few were still leaving. In the newer colonies of Neuland and Volendam there was considerable dissatisfaction and quite a few have left—and were still leaving—mostly for Canada, where many had relatives. The economic and cultural backwardness of Paraguay together with its political instability contributed to this unrest. Climate, insects, transportation difficulties, and lack of adequate markets also made the struggle hard. On the other hand, many appreciated greatly the freedom they had and were willing to continue in hope that most of the discouraging conditions would improve. In this they were probably correct. For progress has been made, and more was likely to be made in the future. -- Willard H. Smith

The Mennonites in the Mennonite colonies of Paraguay were distributed as follows:

Colony 1940 1950 1956
Menno 2,020 3,169 4,265
Fernheim 1,512 2,339 2,524
Neuland ____ 2,497 2,162
Friesland 822 986 969
Volendam ____ 1,810 1,317
Bergthal ____ 574 6391
Sommerfeld ____ 626 6441
Asunción ? ? 1702
Total 4,354 12,001 ca. 13,040

1. As of 1953.

2. Variable figure because of shifting population.

1990 Article

Mennonites in Paraguay, 1987.
Source: Mennonite Encyclopedia, v. 5, p. 673.
Mennonite Colony boundaries, 1975, according to Walter Regehr, Die lebensräumliche Situation der Indianer in paraguayischen Chaco.
Source: Mennonite Encyclopedia, v. 5, p. 672.

The time after the Paraguayan war against Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina (1864-1870), in which most of the men of Paraguay were killed and in which it suffered great territorial losses, was a time of political chaos. From 1860-1954, a period of 94 years, Paraguay had 40 different presidents, many of whom were removed by strikes or revolution. The result was a very slow national recovery, hindered also by the bloodletting of the Chaco War (1932-35).

In 1954 General Alfredo Stroessner, son of a German immigrant father and Paraguayan mother, became president. With the support of the Colorado party he has governed Paraguay to the present day (1987). Paraguay's recovery during this time was rapid, not only in its infrastructure, but also in its external political relationships. This also affected the Chaco region, which was won for Paraguay through the Chaco War and which was increasingly integrated into the Paraguayan economy.

While the population of Paraguay grew from 1 million (1930) to 3.5 million (1987) to 6.2 million (2004), this still was only fifteen inhabitants per square kilometer. Immigration remained low though the immigration laws were very favorable. The privileges granted to the Mennonites in 1921, confirmed in law No. 514, remained intact. This led to further immigration of Mennonites, especially from Mexico after 1969. Total Mennonite membership in Paraguay was estimated in 1987 at 14,000. Though they enjoyed special privileges, Mennonites were still well received in Paraguay, particularly by the government, due in large part to the strength of their economic contribution, particularly their cooperative approach to economics.

Several North American Mennonite-related groups have attempted migrations to Paraguay during the last 30 years, including Old Order Amish (1967-1978) at Fernheim Colony and Beachy Amish Mennonites (1967- ) at Luz y Esperanza Colony.  -- Peter P. Klassen

See also: Agua Azul Colony; Bergthal Colony; Bergthal MennonitesConvención de las Iglesias Evangélicas Chulupi; Convención de las Iglesias Evangélicas de los Hermanos LenguasConvención Evangélica Menonita Indiginista; Evangelical Mennonite Conference (Kleine Gemeinde); Fernheim Colony; Friesland ColonyKonferenz der Mennonitischen Brüdergemeinden von Paraguay; Licht den Indianern; Luz y Esperanza Colony; Manitoba Colony, Paraguay; Menno Colony; Mennonitisches Missionskomitee für Paraguay; [La] Montana Colony; Neuland Colony; Old Colony Mennonites; Reinfeld Colony; Rio Corrientes Colony; Rio Verde Colony; Santa Clara Colony; Sommerfeld Colony, Paraguay; Sommerfeld Mennonites; Tres Palmas ColonyVermittlungskomitee; Volendam Colony.

2020 Update

In 2020 the following Anabaptist groups were active in Paraguay:

Denominations Congregations
in 2000
Members
in 2000
Congregations
in 2009
Members
in 2009
Congregations
in 2020
Members
in 2020
Altkolonier Mennonitengemeinde (Colonia Manitoba) 1 239 1 325 3 409
Altkolonier Mennonitengemeinde (Colonia Nueva Durango) 1 600 3 687 3 786
Altkolonier Mennonitengemeinde (Colonia Rio Verde) 1,263 6 1,521 6 1,408
Bergthaler Mennonitengemeinde (Colonia Bergtal) 1 867 5 980 5 1,123
Church of God in Christ, Mennonite (Paraguay) 1 6
Confraternidad Evangélica Menonita del Paraguay (CEMP) 13 325 14 300
Vereinigung der Mennonitengemeinden von Paraguay / Convención de los Pastores de las Iglesias Mennonitas del Paraguay 19 7,350 20 7,399 21 8,900
Convención Evangélica de Iglesias Paraguayas de los Hermanos Menonitas 60 2,950 53 3,150 58 3,256
Convención Evangélica Hermanos Menonitas Enlhet 7 2,125 8 3,016
Convención Evangélica Mennonita Lengua 7 1,825    
Convención Evangélicas Hermanos Menonitas Nivaclé 8 1,922 10 3,561 12 2,600
Convención Evangélica Hermanos Menonitas Guaraní Ñandeva  11  730
Convención Evangélica Menonita Paraguaya 27 920 47 1,707 40 2,161
Convención Iglesias Evangélicas Unidas - Enlhet Paraguay /
Convención de las Iglesias Evangélicas Unidas Enlhet Paraguay Chaco Central
14 4,600 15 4,162 16 5,257
Eastern Pennsylvania Mennonite Church (Paraguay) 3 118 4 165
Evangelische Mennoniten Gemeinde 1 201 1 372 1 885
Evangelische Mennonitengemeinde 3 105 2 143 1 61
Evangelische Mennonitengemeinde Neues Leben         1 54
Evangelische Mennonitengemeinde Tres Palmas         1 92
Evangelische Mennonitische Bruderschaft 1 450 1 500    
Hermandad Cristiana de Paraguay / Beachy Amish Mennonite Fellowship 3 78 2 99 2 93
Iglesia Hermandad Evangélica Mennonita - Filadelfia         7 970
Iglesias Evangélicas Hermanos Menonitas Guaraní Ñandeva /
Convención Evangélica Hermanos Menonitas Guaraní Ñandeva
7 550 10 620
Iglesias Guaraní Ñandeva 8 550    
Independent & Unaffiliated 5 180    
Mennonite Christian Fellowship (Paraguay) 1 30 1 35  2  47
Mennoniten Evangeliums Kirche         1 41
Misión Evangélica Menonita 13 192    
Nationwide Fellowship Churches (Paraguay)         1 41
Reinfelder Mennoniten Gemeinde (Colonia Reinfeld) 1 66 1 80 1 114
Sommerfelder Mennonitengemeinde (Colonia Sommerfeld) 6 1,032 7 1,280
Sommerfelder Mennonitengemeinden (Colonia Santa Clara) 1 137 1 124 1 123
Vereinigung der Mennoniten Brüdergemeinden Paraguays /
Asociación Caritativa de los Hermanos Menonitas del Paraguay
7 1,593 26 3,195 32 3,750
Total 177 25,938 236 32,370 270 38,288

Mennonite Colonies in Paraguay in 2023

Colony Year

established

No. of

immigrants

Origin Population

(2023)

Menno 1927 1257 Canada 10,994
Fernheim 1930 2,015 Russia 4,996
Neuland 1947 2,474 Russia 2,000
Friesland 1937 745 Russia 648
Volendam 1947 1,913 Russia 541
Sommerfeld 1948 973 Canada 5,091
Bergthal 1948 736 Canada 3,846
Reinfeld 1966 no data Canada 370
Luz y Esperanza 1967 24 USA 200
Rio Verda /Nuevo Mexico 1969 107 Mexico 3,660
Belleza no data no data USA 90
Agua Azul 1969 no data USA 64
Tres Palmas 1970 20 families Canada/Russia 179
Santa Clara 1972 52 Mexico 300
Florida 1976 56 USA 150
Nueva Durango 1978 389 Mexico 2,490
La Montana 1982 70 USA 300
Manitoba 1983 no data Mexico 1,328
Asuncion **** no data (from the colonies) 1,600
Madelon **** no data Durango (Paraguay) 410
Monte Claro **** no data Rio Verde (Paraguay) 350
Total Population 39,607

This table was published in InfoBlatt. 38. Jahrgang (May 2024): 24-25.

Bibliography

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Author(s) Willard H. Smith
Peter P. Klassen
Date Published 2013, 2024

Cite This Article

MLA style

Smith, Willard H. and Peter P. Klassen. "Paraguay." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 2013, 2024. Web. 21 Nov 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Paraguay&oldid=179349.

APA style

Smith, Willard H. and Peter P. Klassen. (2013, 2024). Paraguay. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 21 November 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Paraguay&oldid=179349.




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Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, pp. 117-119; vol. 5, pp. 672-674. All rights reserved.


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