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Church in the WorldRetired cleric forces presidential U-turnArgentina Colin Harding - 25 November 2006THE VICTORY of a retired bishop in elections in a remote corner of northern Argentina last month has already had a remarkable impact on the country's political life (The Tablet, 4 November), writes Colin Harding. After an opposition alliance headed by the bishop, Mgr Joaquín Piña of Puerto Iguazú, thwarted plans by the provincial governor, Carlos Rovira, to change the constitution in Misiones province to enable him to be re-elected indefinitely, President Néstor Kirchner instructed governors of much bigger and more important provinces, including Buenos Aires, to abandon similar ambitions. The president was seemingly afraid of provoking the opposition further, and giving an added impetus to its unity. Last week, Mgr Piña, 76, confirmed his improbable new status as a political star when he chaired the first and only meeting of the Misiones constituent assembly, which was elected on 29 October. Under Mgr Piña's brisk guidance, and to the accompaniment of wild applause from his fans, the assembly, which also included two nuns and two evangelical pastors, quickly resolved not to lift the constitutional ban on re-election, and promptly dissolved itself. |
 In this week’s issueShared space – a gem of an idea Tormentor on my doorstep Seek and you will find Power to the people ‘I had to pop outside the cathedral for a few cigarettes to calm my nerves’ Tablet Education Nothing funny about rape Bishop Davies: leading or dividing? Christopher Lamb Without justice, charity is undermined Abigail Frymann Errant Knights need to show some humility Elena Curti Clare Short: ‘Church gave me best of values that have continued into my political and adult life' Former Labour minister offers candid and fond reflection on her Catholic upbringing I've chosen as my theme the link between a Catholic childhood and radical politics. I fear this may be slightly self-indulgent and autobiographical but there are some points that ... Secularism - good or bad? Archbishop Nichols and Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor take opposing views The two most senior clerics in England and Wales set out on the same day contrasting visions of the threats posed to Christianity by secularism. In a lecture at Ushaw College ... Portsmouth diocese denies liability for abusive priests Read letter to clergy explaning why it is fighting court ruling This week the diocese of Portsmouth launched an appeal against a High Court ruling that a bishop can be held legally liable for abuse committed by his priests. Last November ... Tiptoeing towards ScripturePope Benedict XVI has exhorted Catholics to become more familiar with their Bibles, in his round-up of the 2008 Synod on the Word of God. At the same time the Bible Society ...
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