Landmark subpoena challenges Dominican Republic-Catholic Church ties

Santo Domingo.- The Constitutional Court (TC) was warned against promoting, advertising or taking part in a Catholic mass to mark its first anniversary, with a landmark subpoena served on the high court Tuesday.

Economist Guido Riggio Pou and attorney Radhamés Bonilla’s warning was made on behalf of the Movement for a Secular State in the Dominican Republic, based on the Constitution’s precepts on freedom of conscience and worship.

Quoted by elcaribe.com.do, the experts said the promotion of a particular religion’s activities violates those rights, which the TC is obliged to protect.

The subpoena comes in the heels of the TC’s announcement to host the religious service slated for January 26, to mark his first year since inducted.

They note that TC president Milton Ray Guevara announced the schedule of events, including a Mass in a Catholic church.

A National District Court bailiff served the subpoena on Friday, and was also served individually on each of the five justices.