Bolivia evangelicals fight against new law

Evangelical leaders in Bolivia are trying to revoke a new law they say aims to "impose contrary beliefs" and "denies us the right to be a church."

Asserting that Law 351 is unconstitutional, the National Association of Evangelicals of Bolivia (ANDEB) has announced it is filing suit against the law, carrying its case to the nation's Plurinational Legislative Assembly.

Under previous law, all churches and other NGOs in Bolivia had to register with the governor's office in their respective states to gain legal recognition. The new statute requires all churches and nonprofit organizations to re-register their legal charters with the government. This involves supplying detailed data on membership, financial activity and organizational leadership. The law also stipulates a standardized administrative structure for all "religious organizations."

"This would force churches to betray their true ecclesiastical traditions," Ruth Montaño, ANDEB legal adviser, told Morning Star News. "The measure deprives them of any autonomy to follow their original faith convictions."

Churches failing to complete the re-registration within a two-year period would lose their legal right to exist.  Keep reading