New Bolivian Constitution Approved By Voters; Catholicism Disestablished

According to the New York Times, by a 56.8% majority yesterday voters in Bolivia approved the country's new Constitution. Unlike the old Constitution that gave special recognition to the Roman Catholic Church, Catholicism is not specifically mentioned in the new document. AP says that the new Constitution honors both the Christian God and the Andean earth deity, Pachamama who continues to be worshipped by many Bolivian Catholics. (BBC News Background). The new Constitution also guarantees freedom of religion and separation of church and state. (See prior related posting.)