Feb 24 • 15:29 UTC 🇦🇷 Argentina Clarin (ES)

Energetic request from the Church to the Government not to halt works in popular neighborhoods

The Catholic Church has strongly criticized the Argentine government's reduction of budget for urban integration projects, warning of the consequences for marginalized neighborhoods.

The Catholic Church in Argentina, represented by figures like Archbishop Gustavo Carrara, has issued a strong appeal to the government against the ongoing budget cuts affecting the Subsecretariat for Socio-Urbane Integration, warning of a potential halt to vital urbanization projects in impoverished neighborhoods across the country. This criticism comes amidst broader concerns regarding recent government decisions, including lowering the age of criminal responsibility and changes to glacier protection laws, revealing the Church's increasing focus on social justice issues in Argentine society.

During a panel organized by the National Table of Popular Neighborhoods, Carrara highlighted the detrimental effects that such cuts could have on the lives of approximately five million people living in these underserved communities. He stressed that such a reduction in government support reflects a culture of 'voracity and disposability,' indicating a deep concern about social neglect and the widening inequality faced by marginalized groups in Argentina. This marks another instance of the Church taking a public stance on socio-economic issues, suggesting a shift in engagement with government policies.

The report also mentions the actions taken by President Javier Milei, who has positioned the Subsecretariat in a less prominent role and reduced funding for the Urban Integration Fund, arguing that previous management was politically motivated. This reflects a broader political climate in Argentina where the Church is increasingly critical of government initiatives that are perceived as undermining social welfare and integration efforts, indicating a potential escalation of tensions between state policies and religious advocacy for social justice.

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