Argentina's bishops called on citizens to prevent the country from being
torn into staunch partisan divides, urging a unified support for
marriage and the defense of life.
“After almost thirty years of democracy, we Argentineans run the risk
of dividing ourselves into irreconcilable camps once again,” the bishops
said in a message for Advent released on Nov. 29.
“Fear is spreading that these divisions are becoming sharper and that
pressure is being exerted to inhibit the free expression and
participation of all in civic life.”
They noted that democracy has not yet fully matured in Argentina due to
what they called excessive strong-man politics and the conflict between
“the unitary and federal visions of the nation, which was widespread at
the dawn of our country and has manifested itself intermittently at
different moments in history.”
“When we say in our prayers that we want to be a nation, we are
expressing a longing that is clearly manifest in our Constitution. We
want to be a nation truly based on a republican, representative and
federal system,” the bishops said.
In their message they also highlighted that “the dignity of life from
conception to natural death is the foundation of all other human
rights,” stressing that Argentinean laws must respect this right.
“The family, founded upon marriage between man and woman, is a value
that is rooted in our people. It supersedes the State and is the
foundation of all of society. Nothing can replace it,” the bishops
added.
“A cultural mindset and a series of legislative measures that seem to
undermine its importance and harm its identity is cause for concern.”
They concluded by defending the right of parents to educate their
children according to their moral convictions and emphasizing that
civics should be taught to students without being politicized or tainted
by partisan ideology.