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Domhnall MacCionnaith Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 2019-30

Scope and Contents Note

This collection is arranged into three series: IGE, ACG, and Personal Papers. Within each series there are subseries of documents, reports, publications and newsletters, and correspondence.

The IGE series consists of documents and reports, especially meetings or Actas pertaining to IGE. IGE also published many publications, newsletters, and bulletins. Many of these would be sent out to supporters world wide. The majority of these focused on the plight of Guatemalans and how the Catholic Church could help. This series also contains information about their events, specifically the Asamblea Permanente. There is also internal correspondence that reflects how IGE operated as an organization.

The ACG series consists of documents and reports, meeting agendas, press releases, newsletters and bulletins, publications and brochures, projects, trainings, correspondence, clippings, and video recordings. Their publications and brochures mostly focused on the work of the Catholic Church in Guatemala and how Catholic teachings could be helpful to survivors of the violence in Guatemala during this time.

The final series in this collection is the personal papers of Domhnall MccCionnaith. This series contains newspaper clippings about his work and they contain interviews with him during the Guatemala Civil War. This series also contains personal photographs, maps, and correspondence that he had during this time.

Dates

  • Creation: 1975-2014

Language of Materials

English, Spanish

Access Restrictions

Unrestricted.

Use Restrictions

Standard copyright restrictions apply.

Biographical Sketch

Domhnall MacCionnaith is an Irish priest from Belfast, Ireland. He lived and worked in Guatemala during the 1980s Civil War. Referred to by some reporters as a "Guerrilla Priest" he worked with indigenous groups to fight for their liberation.

MacCionnaith specifically worked with groups such as the Iglesia Guatemalteca en Exilio (IGE) and the Acción Cristiana en Guatemala (ACG). The IGE was an organization that assisted Guatemalans who escaped perspecution, torture, and death during the Guatemalan Civil War. The majority of them organized in regions in Mexico such as Chiapas and Quintana Roo. The ACG was started by refugees in the Chiapas area in the early 1980's. The group's mission was to strengthen the organization of the Church in Guatemala and to promote the evangelization, liberation and the defense of indigenous populations in Guatemala. They primarily focused on improving the political, economic, religious, and cultural aspects of Guatemalan life. The ACG operated in Ixcán, Nenton, Barillas, and Altiplano.

Full Extent

4 linear feet

Abstract

Publications, correspondence, teaching material, newspaper clippings, and video recordings reflect the life and work of Domhnall MacCionnaith, an Irish priest working in Guatemala during the Guatemalan Civil War.

Acquisition Information

Donation, 2019.

Additions

No further materials are expected for this collection.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Alexandria Suarez, Digital Projects Archivist, 2022.

Title
Domhnall MacCionnaith Papers
Status
Edited Full Draft
Author
Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection
Date
2023
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard (Dacs)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Revision Statements

  • 2025 July: Revised by Ryan Sullivant to fix validation errors prior to ingestion into ArchivesSpace.

Repository Details

Part of the Benson Latin American Collection, The University of Texas at Austin Repository

Contact:
2300 Red River Street
Austin Texas 78712 United States
(512) 495-4578