PERON’S FIGHT WITH CHURCH

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27664, 21 May 1955, Page 7

PERON’S FIGHT WITH CHURCH

Disestablishment Move

(WJS. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 pjn.) BUENOS AIRES, May 19. The Argentine Chamber of Deputies late tonight approved a government bill that would disestablish the Roman Catholic Church as the state religion of Argentina. The bill, passed by a vote of 121 to 12, ended a vigorous two-day debate. The bill calls for the convocation of a national convention elected by the people within the next six months to consider constitutional amendments relating to ties between the Church and the State. The convention must complete its work within 30 days after it is installed and its mandate cannot be extended. The changes proposed by the Peronist Government would completely separate Church and State for the first time in the 145 years’ history of the Republic.

While the' debate was going on, thousands of Roman Catholics packed the metropolitan cathedral and 70 other churches in Buenos Aires tonight for evening Mass. After the services a few hundred Roman Catholic youths Started to parade down Avenida de Mayo toward the Capitol, where Congress was in session. The marchers shouted slogans: “Argentina is Catholic” and “Long Live Christ the King.” Police dispersed the marchers without incident. . . . Roman Catholic leaders warned their parishioners to disperse quietly after the Mass to avoid incidents, and most did. Heavy police concentrations were near the principal churches. A Roman Catholic procession on Mav 6 ended in a fight with mounted police. Several persons were injured and 56 Roman Catholics were arrested.