Peru: Bishops oppose bill to decriminalize under-age sex

Archbishop Salvador Pineiro

The Peruvian Episcopal Conference has criticized a bill that proposes to decriminalize sex between minors in Peru saying that it would increase "libertinism and promiscuity."

In a statement, Mgr Salvador Pineiro Garcia Calderon, Archbishop of Ayacucho and president of the Episcopal Conference, emphasizes the responsibility of parents in the sex education of children and adolescents, and urges the Peruvian authorities "to have a responsible attitude before the rights of adolescents."

He said the Church has asked to stop this bill because it would lead to "early initiation of sexual activity in children", "it will increase non-responsible fatherhood and abortion," creating "new situations of injustice, exploitation and youth abuse, as well as the loss of values required in the formation of responsible men and women."

The bill, recently approved by the Parliamentary Committee for Women and Families, will have to be presented for vote at the Congress Assembly. The measure modifies a provision of the Penal Code which provides for penalties of up to 30 years in prison for sex between minors of 18 years of age.

Source: Fides