Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Toledo (Agenzia Fides) – “This is a very important issue, which must be faced with lucidity, truth, responsibility, and freedom, and in conformity with the duties and rights that parents have regarding education. They are duties and rights that are fundamental, inviolable, primordial, and that should be entirely respected, protected and guaranteed by the Spanish Constitution,” the Archbishop of Toledo, Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera, said in response to the obligatory imposition of the school course “Education for Citizenship,” which will start being implemented in schools this coming academic year in the Spanish region of Castilla-La Mancha.
The Cardinal observes that this course “obligatorily imposes on all students and academic institutions – in its objectives, contents, and examinations - a moral formation that is not determined by parents” and even openly contradicts the religious formation that is chosen by many parents. With this in mind, he recalls that “public authority cannot impose any certain moral code on all people, whether it be supposedly a majority choice, or Catholic, or any other kind,” as this would “violate the rights of parents and schools in freely choosing for themselves, based on their own convictions.”
Cardinal Cañizares together with his Auxiliary Bishop, in their role of responsibility as Bishops, both support and encourage parents and schools to act in accord with their duties and rights, in their own self-defense: “it is just that you, parents, use all legitimate means in your power to defend your right to determine the moral education of your children.” Addressing Catholic schools, he tells them, “if you admit this in your curriculum, the contents shown in the Royal Decrees would go against your own mission, which is specifically of a Catholic moral code” and the public schools as well, “in having to offer this course, will loose the ideological neutrality they should possess in imposing a moral formation that has not been freely chosen by parents, on their students.”
“It is most unfortunate” – the Cardinal continues – “that being such an evident reality, it is not sufficiently recognized and that in claiming and exercising these Constitutionally protected rights, people are met with so many difficulties.” Thus, he reminds parents to defend their children and demand respect for what rightfully corresponds to them. In this manner, “a democratic society and authentic coexistence will be established.” He also mentions the fact that “there is still time left to change the course of things. However, if no changes are made, it could be too late in the education of our children and youth.”
“We, your bishops, accompany you and like you, we wish for nothing more than that your children be well educated in every aspect of their person, also in their civil duties and that they are not influenced in any way that is contrary to their rightful civil duties, for the common good and in correspondence with the good of the human person and the truth about man,” the Letter said.
The Cardinal also asks Catholic parents to fulfill their duty in requesting a religious education and Catholic moral formation for their children. He expresses his gratitude for “so many Christian teachers and professors that are acting in conformity with truth and reason,” as well for the Catholic schools for the service they carry out on the Church’s behalf.
The Cardinal states that, “this issue – that is, the education needed by children and youth to live as citizens of Spain and of the world – should never be a subject of confrontation and division; if this has occurred, it is a sign that something has gone or is going awry.” With this in mind, he encourages them: “Have no fears! You are not requesting something that you do not deserve. You no full well that, as bishops, we stand with you and we support you.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 12/6/2008)
