Final answer:
The Catholic Church played a significant role in the oppression of indigenous people in the Americas. Bartholomew de las Casas, a prominent advocate for indigenous rights, worked towards reform and had an impact on the fair treatment of indigenous people. The church's efforts to rectify the wrongdoings varied, and it is important to consider the specific actions taken in each case.
Step-by-step explanation:
The church played a significant role in the oppression of indigenous people. The mistreatment of indigenous people by European settlers in the Americas was accompanied by the presence of the Catholic Church, which often followed the adventurers. However, there were individuals like Bartholomew de las Casas who advocated for the fair treatment of indigenous people and worked towards reform.
Bartholomew de las Casas, initially an adventurer and encomienda recipient, had a change of heart and became a prominent advocate for indigenous rights. His efforts led to the issuing of a dictate by Pope Alexander VI in 1537, emphasizing that indigenous people were not inferior to any other group. In 1542, the Spanish Crown implemented the New Laws of the Indies for the Good Treatment and Preservation of the Indians, which eventually limited and abolished the encomienda system.
While some individuals within the church worked towards rectifying the wrongdoings, it is important to note that the actions and attitudes of the church varied across different regions and time periods. It is necessary to examine the historical context and the specific actions taken by the church in each case to fully understand its role in addressing and rectifying the oppression of indigenous people.