La Paz, Jun. 8, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Bolivia's President Evo Morales has suggested replacing the feast of Corpus Christi, which is a national holiday in that country, with a day officially dedicated to the sun god, Vatican Radio reports.
The Bolivian president, a Socialist who won national elections in December 2005, claims to be the first descendant of native Bolivians to lead the country since the days of the Spanish conquest. Morales identifies himself with his Indian ancestors, and says that he is a sun-worshipper.
Church leaders in Bolivia argue that Morales can make only a weak claim to historical precedents for a national holiday. Bishop Krzysztof Bialasik of Oruro reported: “Bolivians from the eastern part of the country told me that historically, there has never been observance of a day dedicated to the sun god.” |