[On] October 31, Reformation Day, evangelicals in Argentina [had] an extra reason to celebrate, as their country officially recognizes the National Day of Evangelical and Protestant Churches.
A bill calling for this recognition was approved by the lower Congreso de la Nación chamber, the Chamber of Deputies, last year. In April, the bill was unanimously approved in the Senate Chamber and then signed by president Javier Milei.
“Today we are not celebrating a religious holiday,” said Christian Hooft, who leads ACIERA (Alliance of Evangelical Churches in the Republic of Argentina), at an event celebrating the day last Monday. “We are celebrating the historical identity of the faith of millions of Argentine citizens.”
Argentina’s evangelicals have long sought this recognition. The country’s Supreme Court has ruled that the country has no official or state religion, and its constitution guarantees freedom of religion, but it also states that “the federal government supports the Roman Catholic apostolic faith.”
Argentina has officially moved to celebrate the National Day of Evangelical and Protestant Churches.
— Christianity Today (@CTmagazine) November 1, 2024
Church leaders are grateful for the government recognition—and seeking to give back.https://t.co/GeWeJuLxga