Minister of Public Works Gonzalo Castillo told journalists: “We do not see that the church has a position. We understand that we have the backing of the church. We personally are sure that if the people really want President Danilo Medina, the church will be on the side of the people and the side of President Danilo Medina.” Castillo made the observation when interviewed when participating in the presentation of automated voting system the JCE is proposing to the members of the ruling PLD party Political Committee at their headquarters.
Administrative Minister of the Presidency José Ramón Peralta sent a tweet on Monday, 22 April 2019 saying the government would continue working to strengthen Dominican institutions. “The government, respectful of the plurality of opinions, in the framework of the rule of law, respects the opinions shared during the 7 Words Sermon. “
Meanwhile, a feature in Listin Diario says the confrontation between church and government is not about reelection. It is about Medina’s rejection of making abortion illegal under all circumstances. The article by Ramón Pérez Reyes says that the recent statements of religious leaders are a way to pressure President Danilo Medina who has twice vetoed the passing of an amended Penal Code with a complete ban on abortion. Medina, who has a daughter who is a medical doctor, has argued for three exception clauses. But the evangelical (Confederación Nacional Evangélica) and the Roman Catholic churches have maintained a strong position against any exceptions to abortion be included in the Penal Code that is under review in Congress.
“The apple of discord has been the theme of abortion,” writes Pérez Reyes. He says the harmonious relations that for years the churches and the Executive Branch have maintained have suffered over this issue. He observes that father Manuel Antonio Ruiz, a leader of the anti-abortion campaign in the church, who had an office in the Presidential Palace as liaison with the Roman Catholic Church, resigned his position late last year.
Read more in Spanish:
El Caribe
Diario Libre
Listin Diario
23 April 2019