Argentine Court Bars Religion In Public Schools; Bishops Object

CNA reported yesterday that Catholic bishops in Argentina's Salta province are criticizing a local appeals court decision that bars Catholic religious practices in public school classrooms. The decision banned  classroom prayers, grace before meals, the reading of the Bible and the celebration of Catholic feasts in public schools. The bishops, however, asserted: "It is the duty of the public school to respect and creatively pass on the culture and identity of a people," and argued that public expression of faith is a protected right so long as it does not obstruct the functioning of the school or deny the rights of others. The bishops want religion taught in the schools, with parents having the right to opt their children out of the class.