EUROPE/SPAIN - Bishops of Catalogna: “The proposed organic education law overlooks fundamental rights which every democratic and pluralistic society must guarantee, and which must be accompanied by freedom of religion and conscience”

Wednesday, 9 November 2005

Tarragona (Fides Service) - The Bishops of Catalogna have issued a statement expressing support for the November 12 protest against education law reforms in which they say the proposed Organic Education Law “overlooks fundamental rights which every democratic and pluralistic society must guarantee, and which must be accompanied by freedom of religion and conscience”. Among these they underlined “parents right to decide how children are educated and the right to choose a school which offers this sort of education; the right to ensure that children receive religious and moral education according to the family’s convictions”.
The statement also says by giving scholastic administration almost absolute responsibility to plan, direct and run all schools funded with public funds the law overlooks the fact that parents have the primordial, irreplaceable and inalienable right to educate children. The Bishops say the final draft of the law must respect the rights of all parties involved and take into account the social interests if educational institutions.
In this situation the Bishops of Catalogna appeal to parents to defend with legitimate means most suitable proper recognition of their rights in matters of education, a question of such importance for the whole of society. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 9/11/2005, righe 18, parole 242)


Share: