The Arauco War as a Preaching Matter. Sermon and Politics in the Work of Friar Juan de Barrenechea y Albis

Abstract

This essay analyzes La Restauración de La Imperial y conversión de las almas infieles (h. 1693) by creole Mercedarian friar Juan de Barrenechea y Albis as part of the preaching rhetoric displayed not for the salvation of the souls, but for influencing policies regarding the Arauco War. We argue that the novel, which is included in the text, demands to be read as an exemplum to persuade about the importance of the evangelization in order to bring peace to Chile −an unpopular posture back then−.