President Mauricio Funes sent to congress on 8 July a bill which,
among other things, would make membership of a 'mara' gang illegal. The bill is
highly controversial, but it has excited less debate than a proposal approved by
right-wing parties in congress instituting the compulsory reading of the Bible
in all schools across El Salvador with the aim of inculcating moral and ethical
values to discourage violence from a young age. Far from supporting the move, El
Salvador's Roman Catholic Church was fiercely critical. It argued that the State
must be secular - and called on Funes to veto the bill.End of preview - This article contains approximately 1326 words.
Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article
Not a Subscriber?
Choose from one of the following options