Argentine Law 1420
Encyclopedia
The Law 1420 of General Common Education of Argentina
was a landmark national law
that dictated public compulsory, free and secular
education
. It was passed in 1884 during the administration of President
Julio Argentino Roca
, after a number of similar laws of provincial
scope and the conclusions of the Pedagogical Congress of 1882.
The non-religious education mandated by the law was controversial at the time, and caused a conflict between the Argentine government
and the Catholic Church
. The Papal
Nuncio
, Luis Mattera, spoke against the law. The government replied that Mattera was free to expose his ideas privately but not to interfere in government matters. Mattera tried to stop the arrival of school teachers hired by the Argentine authorities in the United States
for the direction of public secular establishments. Rejection of the law came also from priests' sermon
s, newspapers sponsored by the Church, documents by bishop
s, and demonstrations
supported by the clergy.
When the first Normal School was established in Córdoba
, the Capitular Vicar, Gerónimo Clara, and priests denounced it from the pulpits as anathema
. Clara was arrested and charged by the national authorities. Mattera spoke to the head of the school and asked for a number of conditions to be met, including the teaching of the Catholic religion in the establishment. These requirements were conveyed to the provincial government and in turn to the national authorities, who rejected them as interference by a foreign agent. Mattera ended up apologizing directly, through a particular missive, to President Roca.
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
was a landmark national law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
that dictated public compulsory, free and secular
Secular education
Secular education is the system of public education in countries with a secular government or separation between religion and state.An example of a highly secular educational system would be the French public educational system, going as far as to ban conspicuous religious symbols in schools.In...
education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
. It was passed in 1884 during the administration of President
President of Argentina
The President of the Argentine Nation , usually known as the President of Argentina, is the head of state of Argentina. Under the national Constitution, the President is also the chief executive of the federal government and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.Through Argentine history, the...
Julio Argentino Roca
Julio Argentino Roca
Alejo Julio Argentino Roca Paz was an army general who served as President of Argentina from 12 October 1880 to 12 October 1886 and again from 12 October 1898 to 12 October 1904.-Upbringing and early career:...
, after a number of similar laws of provincial
Provinces of Argentina
Argentina is subdivided into twenty-three provinces and one autonomous city...
scope and the conclusions of the Pedagogical Congress of 1882.
The non-religious education mandated by the law was controversial at the time, and caused a conflict between the Argentine government
Government of Argentina
The government of Argentina, functioning within the framework of a federal system, is a presidential representative democratic republic. The President of Argentina is both head of state and head of government. Executive power is exercised by the President. Legislative power is vested in both the...
and the Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. The Papal
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
Nuncio
Nuncio
Nuncio is an ecclesiastical diplomatic title, derived from the ancient Latin word, Nuntius, meaning "envoy." This article addresses this title as well as derived similar titles, all within the structure of the Roman Catholic Church...
, Luis Mattera, spoke against the law. The government replied that Mattera was free to expose his ideas privately but not to interfere in government matters. Mattera tried to stop the arrival of school teachers hired by the Argentine authorities in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for the direction of public secular establishments. Rejection of the law came also from priests' sermon
Sermon
A sermon is an oration by a prophet or member of the clergy. Sermons address a Biblical, theological, religious, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law or behavior within both past and present contexts...
s, newspapers sponsored by the Church, documents by bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s, and demonstrations
Demonstration (people)
A demonstration or street protest is action by a mass group or collection of groups of people in favor of a political or other cause; it normally consists of walking in a mass march formation and either beginning with or meeting at a designated endpoint, or rally, to hear speakers.Actions such as...
supported by the clergy.
When the first Normal School was established in Córdoba
Córdoba, Argentina
Córdoba is a city located near the geographical center of Argentina, in the foothills of the Sierras Chicas on the Suquía River, about northwest of Buenos Aires. It is the capital of Córdoba Province. Córdoba is the second-largest city in Argentina after the federal capital Buenos Aires, with...
, the Capitular Vicar, Gerónimo Clara, and priests denounced it from the pulpits as anathema
Anathema
Anathema originally meant something lifted up as an offering to the gods; it later evolved to mean:...
. Clara was arrested and charged by the national authorities. Mattera spoke to the head of the school and asked for a number of conditions to be met, including the teaching of the Catholic religion in the establishment. These requirements were conveyed to the provincial government and in turn to the national authorities, who rejected them as interference by a foreign agent. Mattera ended up apologizing directly, through a particular missive, to President Roca.