The Catholic Church and evangelical communities in Argentina are divided on a proposed reform to the juvenile criminal justice system, with the former opposing the initiative and the latter supporting it.
In Argentina, the relationship between the Catholic Church and evangelical communities, which has typically seen them united in calls for social peace during crises, is now tested by differing views on a proposed reform to the juvenile criminal justice system. The reform, advocated by Javier Milei's government, seeks to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 14 years, marking a significant shift in how juvenile crimes are addressed in the country.
The Argentine Episcopal Conference has voiced strong opposition to the reform, arguing that lowering the age of criminal responsibility will not lead to a decrease in crime rates. They assert that such a change could have detrimental effects on society by stigmatizing young individuals and failing to address the root causes of crime. Conversely, the evangelical community, represented by the Christian Association of Evangelical Churches of the Argentine Republic (Aciera), has backed the initiative, claiming that the current legislation is outdated and insufficient for dealing with contemporary challenges within the juvenile justice system.
The discourse surrounding this reform highlights a broader societal debate in Argentina regarding youth crime and the efficacy of the current penal system. As the proposed legislation moves to the Senate for further consideration, the split between these two significant religious groups underscores the complexities and sensitivities involved in reforming laws that directly impact vulnerable populations, raising questions about the best approach to handle youth offenders while ensuring justice and societal safety.
