October 4, 2004

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Representatives from Catholic and Evangelical Churches signed a statement supporting a move to declare the fourth Sunday of September as the Day of the Bible in Argentina.

The Argentina Bible Society has sent a petition to Congress to this end.

The declaration states that in September, the Catholic Church, Evangelical Churches and other Christian organizations celebrate the Month of the Bible.

It states that the Bible is a foundation book of Western culture and its impact in legislation, ethics and all areas of art have given our culture a common profile. Moreover, it is recognized by Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

It added that declaring the "National Bible Day" in Argentina will give different creeds the opportunity, within the growing Argentine ecumenical environment, to emphasize the importance that this book has in the dialogue among different confessions.

Moreover, for many indigenous groups in the country the Bible is the only book translated into their languages and in many cases has opened up the possibility of having a written language and therefore preserving different cultures.

In this sense, they argue, declaring the "National Day of the Bible" will allow for a greater integration of indigenous cultures and will open up the possibility for dialogue with these groups, frequently marginalized and forgotten.

The celebration of the "National Day of the Bible" will also emphasize the relevance of the essential values of the human being, respect for life and for human rights.

The statement is signed by Marcelo Figueroa, executive secretary of the Argentine Bible Society, Msgr. Jorge Bergoglio, cardinal primate of Buenos Aires, Emilio Monti, president of the Argentine Federation of Evangelical Churches (FAIE), Aldo Etchegoyen, president of the Ecumenical Commission of Christian Churches of Argentina (CEICA) and Juan Gattinoni, for the Latin American Council of Churches (CLAI). (690/2004).

ALC News Service