Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Madrid (Agenzia Fides) - “Moral guidelines for the present situation in Spain” was the title of a Pastoral Instruction issued by the Catholic Bishops of Spain at the end of a plenary assembly in Madrid, 20-24 November. The purpose of the document, which consists of an introduction, three chapters and a conclusion, is to foster reflection and discernment in these complex times.
Chapter 1 “A new situation: powerful wave of secularism”, describes the present situation, identifying the causes, and two important facts one positive the other negative: the coming of democracy, negative the alarming spread of secularism. “Radical and excluding secularism pushed by certain sectors was at the basis of recent new laws in Spain which have caused serious harm to the common good of a society formed mainly of Catholics”.
Chapter 2 “Responsibility of the Church and individual Catholics”, warns against "adopting wrong solutions, which may appear clear but are based on false, non Christian foundations". Another danger is that differences may degenerate into open conflict or the opposite, submission, diluting and even renunciation of personal identity to adapt to the social context.
Chapter 3 “Discernment and moral guidelines”, reminds Catholics that all action in this situation must start from a sound Catholic identity which includes formation in the faith, proclamation of the Gospel of marriage and the family and fidelity to Sunday Mass. The chapter deals with the following issues: democracy and ethics: democracy is not the ultimate moral reference, the foundations of democracy lie in the truth about the human person; service of the common good as foundation of the value and excellence of public life; improve democracy, respect for correct functioning of institutions, especially autonomy of judicial power and freedom of judges; with regard to respect and protection of religious freedom, a truly democratic secular state will consider religious freedom a basic element of the common good; lastly terrorism, intrinsically perverse, is incompatible with a just and reasonable moral vision of life.
The Bishops’ Pastoral Instruction concludes reaffirming that Catholics desire to live in a society based on respect and freedom where they are free to express their opinions and to collaborate sincerely for the spiritual enrichment of society. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 27/11/2006; righe 35, parole 453)
