NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      MANAGUA (CWNews.com) - Sandinista Front representatives in Nicaragua's Congress on Tuesday opposed to a proposed law that would allow religious education in public schools.

      The bill, presented by the Secretary of Education, includes an optional course on the Catholic Catechism in public schools that responds to the desire of 83 percent of Nicaraguan parents, as a recent study revealed. But, Sandinista congressmen have said they will vote against the bill because "it violates the secular nature of the state by involving religion in public education."

      Sergio Boffelli, spokesman for the Ministry of Education, responded to the Sandinistas, saying: "The congress should not impede the rights of parents to choose the type of education they provide to their children." He explained that religious education will not be compulsory, will not be delivered during the regular school schedule, and will not be paid for by the government. "Each school council, with the involvement of parents, will decide if the school will or will not provide religious education," said Boffelli. "The law is not intended to impose religious education, but to provide parents with the option of having it taught."