DECLARATION ON THE MILITARY ORDINARY OF ARGENTINA

VATICAN CITY, MAR 19, 2005 (VIS) - In response to a question about news from Argentina concerning a dispute with the government over declarations made by the military ordinary of that country, Bishop Antonio Juan Baseotto, C.SS.R., Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls replied:

"I do not usually comment on news appearing in the press.

"Concerning what was announced by news agencies on measures taken by the president of Argentina regarding Bishop Antonio Juan Baseotto, we are awaiting an official communique from the Argentinean side to the Supreme Pontiff, who appointed him as military ordinary.

"Clearly, if a bishop legally appointed by the Holy See in keeping with canon law and current agreements were to be impeded from carrying out his pastoral ministry, we would be facing a violation of religious liberty and of those same agreements."
OP/DISPUTE GOVERNMENT/ARGENTINA:BASEOTTO VIS 050321 (150)

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