Challenging the Church - Argentina

April 2005
The Catholic Church in Argentina is at the forefront of the campaign opposing equal rights for gays. But thanks to its recent history its influence in Argentina is waning.

"The Church has lost credibility in Argentina," comments gay activist Esteban Hubner. "The military junta had priests blessing bodies before they were thrown in the river from planes." More recently, the Church has been rocked by revelations of child abuse and accusations of hypocrisy. But having failed to stop gay marriages, it's now lobbying to prevent gay adoptions. "I think the consequences would be terrible for children," explains Archbishop Hector Aguer. "The confusion that it generates in the minds of the little ones could be terrible for their future life." It's not yet clear if the government will heed the Church's protests. Thousands of children in Argentina lack even one parent. And - although more than 80% of the population is Catholic - there's a growing call for greater separation of Church and State. The Church's edicts on condoms and abstinence are frequently ignored and the gay lobby is gaining influence. Despite this, the Church refuses to be cowed. As Archbishop Aguer states: "We can be understanding and charitable towards homosexuals but we're going to defend the natural character of the family."

Produced by ABC Australia
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures

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News & Politics

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[velocity246]

Cute couple! I'm glad Buenos Aires is plowing the path of gay rights for the rest of Latin America.

[txgrl7]

Spoken like a true Christian. Judgemental and close minded.

[neonnsteel]

@Ilyastrelok1 :)))))))))

[Ilyastrelok1]

@neonnsteel Don't say bullshit!

[neonnsteel]

those 2 guys are my italian and spanish teachers XD

[Islandretreat]

Roman Catholics should read The Two Babylons by Alexander Hislop and then ask yourselves how can Popery be anything other than demoniac worship? The Bible depicts the Roman Church as the Whore of Revelation. Read Revelation Chapters 17 & 18 (KJV) and see for yourselves. The Protestant Martin Luther only discovered the truth when he stumbled across a Bible in Erfurt Library. READ THE BIBLE FOR YOURSELVES AND FLEE!

[lucy9359]

@NoInhibitions69 that is what will pave the road for the antichrist to take his seat just remember to repent before you take the sign of the beast on your head or hand which is 666 because once you go to this point you will get a first class ticket to hell with no refund in sight...on that note it is not ok to be unkind to the gay community but it is not ok to commit other sins either and gay is a sin and I am not Catholic...

[lucy9359]

The Catholic church is the evil not the entire church gay marriage is a sin according to the bible it is the one thing the Catholics got right....it is not natural or acseptable to God...and we are also in the end of times so I would repent if I were you all...

[Hottides]

Latin America must follow the examples set by Cuba and the USA and marginalize Catholicism. As in Communist Cuba, Catholicism must be removed from education and it's social influence actively combated; as in the USA, a rigid legal wall must be erected than quarantines the Church from politics.

[altaris2011]

Thank God the church influence is not what it used to be

[ScotteDio]

Tango is Uruguayan, born in Uruguay and later moved to Argentina.

Note: Argentina's national dance is pericon Uruguay's national dance is cupista (a tango)

[Nonamearisto]

@txgrl7 The church is more open-minded than you might think. Do we say some things are sinful? Of course, but we also stress the forgiveness of sins. Looking at the church from just one angle is judgmental and close-minded too.