Paraguay
The Paraguayan Senate begins consideration of a bill to establish National Evangelical Churches Day
The proposal sets the date for October 31 and will be studied in committee. Senator Lizarella Valiente said a possible holiday could even be considered.
Paraguay’s Senate opened debate on a bill seeking to establish October 31 as National Evangelical Churches Day, coinciding with the commemoration of the Protestant Reformation.
According to RCC, the initiative arose from requests by sectors of the evangelical community that are calling for formal recognition of their contribution to Paraguayan society.
Before the regular session, Senator Lizarella Valiente defended the proposal and said that recognizing different social and cultural expressions is part of a plural society. She also noted that the national calendar already includes dates intended to recognize traditions, expressions and elements of Paraguayan identity.
According to RCC, the lawmaker rejected the idea that the bill conflicts with the secular nature of the state and cited Article 24 of the National Constitution, linked to religious and ideological freedom. She also said the evangelical community is part of Paraguayan society and, in her view, deserves official recognition.
Valiente, who identified herself as Catholic, also highlighted the role she attributes to evangelical churches in promoting family, values and good habits.
One point that drew attention was the possibility that the date could become a national holiday. According to RCC, the senator did not rule out that option and said it could be analyzed during the legislative process in committee.
The bill will now go through the committees on Constitutional Affairs, Legislation, and Education and Culture before continuing its parliamentary process.
Sources
About this note. Written by El Notero with assistance from artificial intelligence, based on what was published by the cited outlet. El Notero did not conduct its own reporting on this event.
