Amidst the conflict between the government of Evo Morales and the Church over proposals to secularize the country’s school system, other government officials have now voiced their interest in eliminating certain national religious holidays such as Corpus Christi.

Socialist Senator Antonio Peredo told reporters he believes there is an excess of national religious holidays and that some, such as Corpus Christi and All Saints Day, should be eliminated and that only Holy Week and Christmas should be observed.  Likewise he criticized the Archbishop of Santa Cruz, Cardinal Julio Terrazas, for calling on Catholics to defend the faith.  

Bolivia’s Minister of Labor, Alex Galvez, said the holidays would continue to be observed until a change is made to the law.  He said the Constitutional Assembly, which will be installed on August 6, would take up the issue.