EUROPE/SPAIN - An enormous tree firmly planted which no one can ever uproot - “numerous groups of people are anxious to defend the Christian roots of Europe: we must come out of our homes and churches and defend them in the streets " Ignacio Arsuga told Fides

Monday, 20 June 2005

Madrid (Fides Service) - “Last Saturday’s demonstration was exceptional for at least three reasons: the number of participants, unprecedented world support and massive agreement on the theme, all of which made Madrid world capital of families for the day” Ignacio Arsuga, President of HazteOir co-organiser of the Pro-Family demonstration in Madrid on June 18 told Fides. According to the organisers the event brought about 1.5 million people into the streets as well as support from many more with messages.
“It was a celebration of the family echoed all over the world through more than 500 accredited media operators. It was first of an enormous yes to the family and no to the attack on this institution being launched here in Spain to give same sex unions the status of matrimony and homosexuals the possibility to adopt a child” said Ignacio Arsuaga adding that the support of the Church in Spain was fundamental for the success of the event.
The president of HazteOir said the demonstration was important “because it showed that 1.5 million Spaniards are determined to fight to defend authentic values. We are not alone and we can do much to ensure that the family is respected in society. Moreover now family associations will have the courage to defend values in the streets”. Secondly it was important as a means to pressure the Spanish government to withdraw the law and start dialogue and thirdly to have a referendum on this law. “In this sense - said Ignacio - certain social and political groups not quite clear about their position on the subject, seeing such vast public support, now dare to take measures along the same line”.
Ignacio Arsuaga said the event was a point of departure rather than arrival. “There seems to be a strategy to ignore the deep Christian roots of Europe which are at the basis of everything, but they will not succeed. More and more groups and individuals are anxious to defend these values not only in homes and churches but out on the streets and I am certain they will be ever more active. We must be more present in public opinion, in the media, in the streets. Spanish society must show that there are values and rights which it will not renounce such as the family which must be protected. In this way it will be an example for other peoples and for other governments to reflect before taking measures of this kind.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 20/6/2005, righe 32, parole 476)


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