Evangelical churches granted legitimacy within Argentine law
In a significant move towards religious freedom and equality, Argentina's National Executive branch has officially recognized non-Catholic religious organisations, specifically evangelical churches, as "religious legal entities" nationwide [1]. This recognition marks a significant shift in the legal status of these religious groups in Argentina.
The General Justice inspectorate, reporting to the Ministry of Justice, will coordinate all actions related to the implementation of this change [2]. The provinces are required to adjust their mechanisms to accommodate this legal change [3].
The Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of the Republic of Argentina (ACIERA) has celebrated this recognition as a victory for religious freedom and legal equality [4]. ACIERA's celebration underscores the importance of religious entities in Argentina's legal landscape [5].
This recognition is a continuation of Argentina's commitment to religious freedom and equality [6]. Evangelical Christian churches, leaders, and communities have long advocated for this legal recognition as churches [7].
With this recognition, churches registered in the National Registry of Religions will now be able to sign their accounting books directly [8]. This change likely improves their ability to operate transparently, engage in social and charitable activities, own property, and participate more fully in public and legal matters affecting religious entities throughout Argentina [1][3].
Before this formal recognition, while the Argentine Constitution guaranteed religious freedom, there was no formal equality or specific legal framework ensuring evangelical churches equal standing with other religious groups [2]. Now, with legal entity status, evangelical churches can better structure their administration, be officially acknowledged in rehabilitation or social ministry efforts (as seen with an evangelical rehabilitation ministry in Santa Fe), and pursue missions with clearer institutional support and accountability [3].
ACIERA believes that this recognition will strengthen evangelical churches and other religious entities across the country [9]. The decision follows years of demands from evangelical Christian churches, leaders, and communities for legal recognition as churches [10].
The recognition of the legal status of evangelical churches is a significant milestone for the evangelical community in Argentina [11]. ACIERA attributes this progress to the efforts, prayers, and perseverance of Christians who have worked for over 30 years to see this change [12].
The recognition of the legal status of evangelical churches is being published in Evangelical Focus [13]. President Javier Milei signed the recognition [14]. ACIERA's statement emphasizes the work done with respect, patience, and faith to achieve this recognition [15].
This recognition enhances the institutional presence, social impact, and legal protections of evangelical churches in Argentina, reinforcing their role as active religious and social entities across the country [1][3].
[1] https://www.evangelicalfocus.com/argentina/argentina-recognizes-evangelical-churches-as-religious-legal-entities/ [2] https://www.aciera.org.ar/noticias/aciera-celebra-la-reconocimiento-de-la-personería-jurídica-de-las-iglesias-evangélicas-en-argentina-como-una-victoria-por-la-libertad-religiosa-y-igualdad-legal/ [3] https://www.aciera.org.ar/noticias/la-personería-jurídica-de-las-iglesias-evangélicas-en-argentina-es-un-paso-hacia-la-libertad-religiosa-y-igualdad-en-argentina/ [4] https://www.aciera.org.ar/noticias/aciera-celebra-la-reconocimiento-de-la-personería-jurídica-de-las-iglesias-evangélicas-en-argentina-como-una-victoria-por-la-libertad-religiosa-y-igualdad-legal/ [5] https://www.aciera.org.ar/noticias/la-personería-jurídica-de-las-iglesias-evangélicas-en-argentina-es-un-paso-hacia-la-libertad-religiosa-y-igualdad-en-argentina/ [6] https://www.aciera.org.ar/noticias/la-personería-jurídica-de-las-iglesias-evangélicas-en-argentina-es-un-paso-hacia-la-libertad-religiosa-y-igualdad-en-argentina/ [7] https://www.aciera.org.ar/noticias/la-personería-jurídica-de-las-iglesias-evangélicas-en-argentina-es-un-paso-hacia-la-libertad-religiosa-y-igualdad-en-argentina/ [8] https://www.aciera.org.ar/noticias/la-personería-jurídica-de-las-iglesias-evangélicas-en-argentina-es-un-paso-hacia-la-libertad-religiosa-y-igualdad-en-argentina/ [9] https://www.aciera.org.ar/noticias/la-personería-jurídica-de-las-iglesias-evangélicas-en-argentina-es-un-paso-hacia-la-libertad-religiosa-y-igualdad-en-argentina/ [10] https://www.aciera.org.ar/noticias/la-personería-jurídica-de-las-iglesias-evangélicas-en-argentina-es-un-paso-hacia-la-libertad-religiosa-y-igualdad-en-argentina/ [11] https://www.aciera.org.ar/noticias/la-personería-jurídica-de-las-iglesias-evangélicas-en-argentina-es-un-paso-hacia-la-libertad-religiosa-y-igualdad-en-argentina/ [12] https://www.aciera.org.ar/noticias/la-personería-jurídica-de-las-iglesias-evangélicas-en-argentina-es-un-paso-hacia-la-libertad-religiosa-y-igualdad-en-argentina/ [13] https://www.evangelicalfocus.com/argentina/argentina-recognizes-evangelical-churches-as-religious-legal-entities/ [14] https://www.aciera.org.ar/noticias/la-personería-jurídica-de-las-iglesias-evangélicas-en-argentina-es-un-paso-hacia-la-libertad-religiosa-y-igualdad-en-argentina/ [15] https://www.aciera.org.ar/noticias/la-personería-jurídica-de-las-iglesias-evangélicas-en-argentina-es-un-paso-hacia-la-libertad-religiosa-y-igualdad-en-argentina/
- The General Justice inspectorate, in charge of coordinating actions related to this legal change, will ensure that provinces adapt their mechanisms to accommodate the recognition of non-Catholic religious organizations as "religious legal entities" nationwide.
- As this recognition marks a significant shift in the legal status of evangelical churches in Argentina, these religious entities will now be able to engage more actively in political matters and general news as observed legal entities.
