The bishops said an attempt was underway to "erase distinctions between truth and falsehood, reality and fiction, good and evil."

The warning was contained in a 95-page statement, published July 28, setting out pastoral guidelines for the Spanish church from now until 2025.

"We are in a difficult moment, not only because of COVID-19 but because we are convulsed by a deep institutional crisis. Some groups are seeking to open a new constitutional phase and replace a political framework that has given Spain great stability," the bishops' conference said.

"Legislative initiatives by the coalition government on education, euthanasia, abortion, democratic memory and the judiciary reflect a global deconstruction project. The development of which puts freedom at risk and impedes essential unity."

"With its prophetic mission, the church is obliged to denounce these attacks on freedom and justice, to act as a channel of encounter and reconciliation," the bishops said.

They added that "Spaniards are no longer living in a culture inspired by the Christian faith. For many, Christian truths have become incomprehensible, as moral standards flowing from the Gospel also become unacceptable."

The statement was released two days after the Socialist Party confirmed plans to review a series of 1979 accords with the Vatican. It proposes to adopt a "statute of secularism," enforcing "strict separation between politics and religion, law and morality, crime and sin."

The bishops have criticised laws facilitating same-sex marriage, secularised education, state-funded euthanasia and abortion.

A draft "Trans Law," enabling people over age 16 to re-register their gender through a court declaration without medical or legal procedures, was approved in June.

A Democratic Memory Law is expected to spur demands for the removal of Catholic monuments linked to the 1939-1975 dictatorship of General Francisco Franco.

Many Catholics had shown "generosity, closeness and pastoral creativity" during the pandemic. However, evangelisation had been made difficult by eroding family bonds. This also caused a loss of trust in the church, the bishops said.

They added that many lived "as if God did not exist."

Sources

Crux

The bishops' conference said a change in the law would affirm a self-centred view of life that proposes death as a solution to one's problems!

They also maintain the proposed law would be "bad news, since human life is not a commodity at anyone's disposal."

If passed by Spanish legislators, the controversial law would make Spain the fourth European country to legalize physician-assisted suicide. Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg are the other countries where euthanasia has been legalized.

Currently, assisted suicide is punishable in Spain with up to five years in prison.

A person found to have been directly involved in someone's death can face homicide charges and if convicted, the offender could face up to 10 years in prison.

The Bioethics Committee of Spain (CBE) has unanimously rejected the underlying principles behind the euthanasia bill.

The 12 member committee is responsible for issuing reports on matters with relevant bioethical implications.

The CBE noted the bill is invalid because it decriminalizes euthanasia as an exception to the general rule requiring life to be protected.

The committee further argued against the law because it recognizes death as a right that can be incorporated into the list of public health benefits.

Pope Francis has also expressed his concern over the proposed legalization of euthanasia in Spain.

Cardinal Juan Jose Omella said that Pope Francis had told a private meeting with local bishops that he is "worried" by the new measure. Omella stated that the pope is particularly concerned by the impact of such a decision on all life issues.

Spanish media have reported that one survey has revealed that up to 87% of the public is sympathetic to the introduction of a euthanasia law.

Another survey revealed that approximately 70% of doctors are in favour of legalizing euthanasia in Spain.

Sources

• Catholic News Agency
• National Catholic Reporter
• The Tablet

Cardinal Juan Jose Omella, president of the Spanish bishops' conference, and Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo have agreed "to establish a broad working agenda" for a mixed commission.

The meeting is the first since Omella was elected conference president in March.

In a joint statement Omella and Calvo said the meeting was in line with "policies aimed at exercising the right to religious freedom," with both sides "willingly and freely addressed issues of mutual interest."

However, Alfa y Omega, Spain's Catholic weekly has reported that discord remained intense over government reforms, especially in education.

There are "no plans for compromise" over "fundamental rights," Alfa y Omega said.

The newspaper also reported that the bishops' education commission "stressed the need to protect and promote the right to education, as set out in our constitution.

"Spanish society is wondering how the eighth education law in 40 years is now close to being approved when there is no will to build consensus. The outlook is bleak."

The government also unveiled plans for law reform that would restrict parental rights and downgrade religion classes.

Other projected legislation includes permitting "a dignified death and euthanasia" at public expense, the "recovery of assets improperly registered to the church," and a guarantee of "state secularity and neutrality toward all religious denominations."

Another of Spain's bishops, Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera, told those at Mass at Valencia cathedral on 21 June that the proposed education law would "impose models of knowledge and ethics". He urged legislators to reject it.

Source

• UCA News
• Image: UCA News