EUROPE/SPAIN - Election guidelines from Andalusian Bishops: protect life and support family and marriage built on the union of man and woman

Cordoba (Agenzia Fides) - The Bishops of the southern Andalusia region of Spain who met for two days, 22 and 23 January issued pastoral guidelines in view of general and autonomous elections on March the 9th. The Bishops say the election is an opportunity for everyone "to reflect calmly on what sort of human and political community we wish for now and for the future". And to “reflect on the good which can be done by taking part in the vote” and “dialoguing frankly and calmly on what policies can best promote the common good and authentic freedom”. The Bishops say that freedom of religious is the “basis of all other freedoms”.
In the context of “ positive secularism” supported by the Church, “secularism which guarantees every citizen the right to believe and to practice his faith also in public”, the Bishops offer criteria for political decisions such as protecting life from conception to natural end; support of the family and marriage built on the union of man and woman, and say that plans more or less explicit to broaden abortion laws and open the way for euthanasia "must be clearly dismissed from any cultural or political plan”.
Recalling that one of the most important expressions of positive secularism are policies which safeguard and promote freedom of education, the Bishops express deep concern for the “introduction into Spain's education system of the new compulsory subject Education to Citizenship, which aims to form a child's moral conscience”.
The Bishops also voice concern that the present economic situation “could increase crime and social insecurity”, since “corruption and speculation feed on a situation of economic crisis”.
The Bishops conclude “with these reflections we ask Catholics and all citizens to vote in the awareness that building a better society calls continual daily commitment to contribute to common life”.
Other matters considered in the Pastoral Guidelines included the imminent beatification in Linares, Jaén of Spanish a blind journalist, Manuel Lozano, known as “Lolo”: “an exemplary Catholic, catechist, member of Catholic Action and Night Adoration, who, with complete trust in God, lived his faith to help the men and women of his time”. Lastly in view of World Youth Day in July in Sydney, Australia, aware that for many young people the great distance will prevent physical participation, the Bishops of Andalusia have decided to organise a Youth Meeting in the village of El Rocío, Huelva on the same days as WYD and on the same theme, and with live link with events in Sydney. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 24/1/2008; righe 40, parole 528)