Development of Native Spirituality and Theology in Abya Yala

Yenny Delgado is a Peruvian psychologist and theologian. She is of Native descent and founded Publica Theology, an online public square where faith, ancestral memory, womanism, and politics converge. She also promotes women doing theology in Abya Yala, facilitates dialogues that elevate women’s visions, and encourages theological reflection from womanist and feminist decolonial perspectives. “Abya Yala” in the Guna language means “land in full maturity and land of vital blood.” In the 1970s, activists and theologians with a strong sense of ancestral identity adopted the term Abya Yala as a unified name for the continent, instead of referring to it as Latin America. In November 2025, the first encounter of spiritualities and political theology from Abya Yala took place in Mazatenango, Guatemala. Delgado explains the significance of the development of Abya Yala theology and discusses her doctoral work, which combines research on psychology and theology to help Native peoples heal from trauma and embrace their identities. Publica Theology’s website is https://publicatheology.org. Listen wherever you get your podcasts Watch full episodes on YouTube Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X Website www.kwokpuilan.com