Paraguay.

Paraguay Senate advances bill establishing National Evangelical Church Day.

By Lizzie Sotola Sep 1, 2026 06:15 EDT 4 mins read

The Paraguayan Senate gave preliminary approval to a bill establishing a National Day of the Evangelical Church. The bill, sent to the Chamber of Deputies, sets the observance for the last Sunday of October. Photo: Chamber of Senators of the Republic of Paraguay

Paraguay’s Senate gave preliminary approval Wednesday to a bill that would establish a National Day of the Evangelical Church in Paraguay. The measure, approved with amendments Aug. 26, now goes to the Chamber of Deputies for consideration.

The Senate’s action advances a process previously reported by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition. The original bill proposed Oct. 31 as the date for the observance, referencing the Protestant Reformation of 1517.

The Senate, however, amended the bill to designate the last Sunday of October each year instead. The official record of the Aug. 26 Senate session confirms that the amended bill was sent to the Chamber of Deputies.

The bill was introduced Aug. 12 by Sens. Orlando Penner, Lizarella Valiente, Blanca Ovelar and Gustavo Leite. It seeks to recognize and promote the historical, cultural, social, educational, humanitarian and spiritual contributions of evangelical churches in Paraguay.

According to the official report, Penner said the initiative was introduced at the request of the Association of Evangelical Churches of Paraguay and is intended to recognize the work of numerous congregations in serving society.

Not a national holiday or part of the school calendar

The Senate’s amendments narrowed the scope of the original proposal. The version approved by the Senate does not make the last Sunday of October a national holiday. Although the possibility had previously been discussed publicly, it was not included in the bill approved by the Senate, ABC Color reported.

The Senate also removed an article, proposed by Sen. Blanca Ovelar, that would have directed the Ministry of Education and Sciences, through its Vice Ministry of Worship, to add the observance to the national school calendar and promote activities to commemorate it. La Nación also confirmed the amendment.

As a result, if the Chamber of Deputies approves the Senate’s version, the observance would not be a national holiday and would not require schools to recognize or commemorate it. CD.