Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Madrid (Agenzia Fides) – From September 29 – October 1, the Permanent Committee of the Spanish Bishops' Conference has been holding its traditional meeting. Among the themes discussed were the Year for Priests, the economic crisis, the 50th anniversary of “Manos Unidas,” the draft bill on abortion, and the government agreement on education. The Bishops' Committee for the Clergy informed the Bishops of the various initiatives they are planning throughout Spain for the Year for Priests. The Committee has created a draft of a document on the exercising of Priestly Ministry, to be submitted for approval in the next Plenary Assembly in November. As for the economic crisis, the Committee for Social Ministry presented a series of reports that take into account the encyclical “Caritas in Veritate” and that will be useful in the creation of a document from the CEE. The Bishops also approved a message on the 50th anniversary of “Manos Unidas,” which will be published soon.
The most intense discussion was on the draft bill on abortion, which the Church in Spain has affirmed “goes against the life of the unborn, under the auspices of a 'right'” (June 17). In proposing the reading and distribution of this document, the Bishops retain that the law in question is “seriously unjust” and shows a lack of “doctrinal formation...” Thus, “prayer is needed,” especially “in light of the serious problems coming into light.” The Sub-Committee for Life and the Family has proposed personal and communal prayers on the matter, accessible via the CEE website, as well as on Diocesan and parochial websites.
The Bishops also highlighted how there has been a refusal of the law in question “in various important national institutions and among a large part of society.” “Numerous associations have asked citizens to express their defense of life and the just promotion of maternity, organizing a rally in Madrid on October 17,” the statement said. The members of the Permanent Committee also discussed the issue of teaching Religion and Catholic Morals in schools, “which is freely requested every year by a large number of parents and students.” As has already occurred on previous occasions, the Church has renewed the desire for “a great social agreement on education, in which along with government authorities, all those social sectors involved can be present: teachers, parents, school directors, and the Church.” The Permanent Committee of the CEE has also expressed its “support of the Honduran Bishops' Conference, especially for its President, Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, in his effort to bring the Honduran people to reconciliation through a just and peaceful resolution and without intensifying the crisis in the country.” (GT) (2/10/2009)
