Bishop decries loss of Christian values in Argentina

Jan 20, 2005 / 22:00 pm

Bishop Carlos Maria Franzini of Rafaela, Argentina, lamented this week that even in a traditional Catholic country such as Argentina, “a decline in Christian values” is taking place.

During a visit to Aid to the Church in Need in Germany, Bishop Franzini cited as evidence recent legislation approving “homosexual marriage” in Buenos Aires and the current debate on the legalization of abortion.

Catholic morality is under attack, he said, “in particular from intellectual circles,” and he added that “a good example is the recent explosion of blasphemous art in Buenos Aires,” an allusion to an exhibit by Leon Ferrari that was characterized by anti-Catholic themes.

“Politicians are also distancing themselves from the Church.  Nestor Kirchner is the first president not to attend the National Eucharistic Congress,” the bishop said.

He pointed out the decreasing number of priestly vocations and the decreasing commitment on the part of lay Catholics.  He said the solution must come from “strengthening the Catholic identity” and “intensifying evangelization.”