The general objective of this article is to analyze, in broad terms, the relationship between religious institutions and the State, in two different moments: the past and the present. To this end, the document presents and examines several episodes in the Colombian and Latin American history in which this relationship has been key in the development of events. In addition, critical sources on the subject will be cited so that the main perspectives of this relationship, for and against, are exposed. The article seeks to provide a space for reflection in which the influence of the Catholic Church, as an institution, will be analyzed regarding different events and decisions of the Colombian State. Its relationship in the country stands out and is a subject of controversy due to the complexity of its participation in society after the colony. At present, the Catholic Church continues to exercise a key influence that is not disregarded either by the State or by Colombian people, even on several occasions exceeding the fields of dominion that correspond to each, thus provoking conflicts that religious dogma should not influence. The article presents fundamental historical facts in the history of Colombia, such as: the Thousand Day War, the plebiscite of 2016, and the peace process. In addition, other examples are presented in the Latin American context such as the election of President Jair Messias Bolsonaro and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
