Peru: A Non-Secular State in the 21st Century<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

In March, a huge majority in the Peruvian Congress rejected the proposal of leftist Congressman Javier Diez Canseco to change Article 71 of the Peruvian Constitution, which maintains the historical role of the Catholic Church in the Peruvian state and establishes cooperative links between state and church. Diez Canseco proposed a revision to Article 71 to include an explicit statement that Peru is a secular state. Not only did this proposal fail, but on the contrary a clause was added to the Article to the effect that the Peruvian state can establish cooperative links with other religions too. These include Evangelical and Adventist churches, the Jewish community, and the Hare Krishna movement.

 

The impact of the closeness of church and state is evident in various areas. Peruvian public education policies have always supported the teaching of a Catholic course in state schools. Thanks to a 1980 agreement between Peru and the Vatican, Catholic clergymen receive earnings from the state and other economic aids such as tax exemptions, while religious education teachers receive approval from Catholic bishops. Dr. Carbonne, the Health Secretary, has been accused by feminist, gay, and Humanist activists of applying reproductive health policies in accordance with his Catholic views. Yet in spite of the existence of a number of groups who share the same concerns, it has not been possible to found a Peruvian secular coalition. The real battles must be fought in the Peruvian Congress. But for that Peru needs Humanist Congressmen – a Humanist party in order to have a real secular state!

 

Manuel Paz-y-Miño

Peruvian Humanist and Non-Religious Movement

 

Website: http://www.geocities.com/mphaperu

 

 

First Secular Child-Naming Ceremony in Peru

On 9 January, the secular naming ceremony of ten-year- old Fiorella Paz-y-Miño Cerrillo took place at the Center for Inquiry-Peru (CFI-PERU).

 

Fiorella’s parents, Manuel and Elizabeth, her six- month-old sister Sofía, her mentors Werner and Patricia (Fiorella’s aunt), and her grandmothers Celia and Aída were present. Aída’s son, Manuel Paz-y-Miño, is a founder of the Peruvian Humanist & Non-Religious Movement and Chairman of CFI-PERU. Each of them (except Sofia) expressed their good wishes for Fiorella. Fiorella herself thanked everyone with emotion at the end of this private ceremony, the first such secular ceremony in Peru.