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FEREDE complains to European Parliament of religious discrimination in Spain
MADRID, 25-03-2004 (ACPress.net).
The Federation of Evangelical Organisations (FEREDE) has published a report which is highly critical of the state of religious liberty in Spain, and highlights the government's failure to implement the accords signed in 1992 which are supposed to regulate the relationship between the Spanish state and Spanish evangelicals
.
The FEREDE has decided to send a letter denouncing what it sees as "the alarming lack of religious neutrality in Spain", to national and international institutions, including the European Parliament. It asks for international support to put pressure on whoever wins this week's general election to rectify the policy of discrimination suffered by Protestants in Spain. The FEREDE, which represents most of the 2,000 or so evangelical churches in Spain, says none of the democratic governments have done much to improve the centuries-old discrimination faced by religious minorities.
The FEREDE likewise regrets that not one political party has included the issue in their manifestos, and laments how little has been achieved in 25 years since the drawing up of the Constitution. Areas where the Federation considers there is discrimination include the difficulty for evangelical pastors to enter public institutions to offer pastoral aid, and the fact that their churches have to pay VAT even though the Catholic Church is exempt. State tax returns only offer tax breaks to the Catholic Church.
There are bright spots - it is more common, though by no means universal, for local Councils to offer land to Evangelical churches - but the preferential treatment given to the Catholic Church is still evident. The naming of Catholic statues of the virgin Mary as 'honorary mayoress' and the like in different Spanish towns is another case which violates the constitutional principle of religious neutrality.
Source & Editing: ACPress.net
Evangelical Alliance condemns the Madrid bombings
Madrid, March 26th, 2004 (ACPress.net).
In The Spanish Evangelical Alliance wishes to express its deepest sympathy for the families of those killed and injured in the terrible attacks on March 11th in Madrid, as well as sharing the pain of Spanish society as a whole, shaken as it is by in incomprehensible wave of hate.
FiThere are no political, religious nor ideological objectives which justify taking one's own life, nor that of others. We defend the right to life of all, for as Christians we understand and want to remind people that life is a gift from God. In these moments of intense pain we remind Spanish society that the path of hate only leads to more hate and pain. We know that human beings can only find true comfort in the person of God, and we recommend that everyone searches for it in Him.
We believe that the solution to the problem of terrorism rests with the state's use of the legal mechanisms at its disposal, and without wishing to dissuade it in any way from doing so energetically, we do not think this should be done in the heat of the moment, as this might lead to revenge rather than justice. We call on all politicians to unite in the fight against terrorism, and not to use these events for electoral benefit. We support all democratic expresssions of repulsion against the bombings.
Signed: Jaume Llenas, General Secretary, Spanish Evangelical Alliance (AEE).
Source: AEE. Editing:
ACPress.net
Catalan
Bible placed on the Net
Barcelona, March 12th, 2004
(ACPress.net).
The Evangelical Bible
Institute of Catalonia (IBEC) has placed a Catalan translation
of the Bible on its website at www.ibecat.org, which is the
only place where this can be consulted on the Internet.
The version used is the 'Evangelical Catalan Bible' which was
published in September 2000, having been translated from the
original languages. The layout is designed to facilitate searches
and, though it follows a similar design to that found in the
printed version of the Bible, chasing up references is much
quicker. The text is set in blocks, each one comprising a chapter
of the Bible, so individual verses are not separated. Currently,
website programmers are working on search tools which will allow
users to locate a specific verse by typing in the reference,
or a key word such as 'love'.
The IBEC was founded in 1966 and has two principal aims: to
promote the use of Catalan by evangelicals in areas where the
language is commonly spoken and provide materials and activities
to this end, and secondly, to raise awareness of the evangelical
community in Catalan society, through cultural and other activities,
especially those related to increasing religious liberty and
inter-religious dialogue. In recognition of its work, the IBEC
received the St George's Cross - the highest civil decoration
awarded by the Catalan government - in 1997.
Source: IBEC. Editing: ACPress.net
Letter of condolence from European Evangelical Alliance and FEB
London, March 26th, 2004 (ACPress.net).
'I wish I knew what to say. We are deeply saddened by this awful turn of events. I simply send the warmest greetings of the whole EEA Executive Committee, and I am sure that I speak for all the rest of the EEA membership when I say that we are all thinking of and praying for you at this very difficult time for the whole nation.
TMay the Lord bring some good out of this evil, somehow: maybe in some fresh openness to the gospel, and the life that could flow from that. May He minister to people in pain! Speaking very personally: I travel by train in many of the places I visit...so this all seems very close to home. In fact, this last week, I have been in 4 different capital cities (if you include London)...so it seems very close indeed.
Not knowing what else to say....apart from expressing our support, and solidarity, and our commitment to continue to pray, I sign off, in His love. Warmest greetings to all in the Spanish Alliance, from the Executive Committee of the European Evangelical Alliance. Signed: Gordon Showell-Rogers, General Secretary, European Evangelical Alliance
FEB
The Fellowship of European Broadcasters also sent condolences, saying "We are very sad...you are in our prayers and thoughts." Signed: Harvery Thomas, Chairman.
Source: AEE. Editing:
ACPress.net
Prince kisses statue's feet
Madrid, March 24th, 2004
(ACPress.net).
Prince Felipe and his fiancée attended the Catholic Church of 'Our Father Jesus of Medinaceli' on the first Friday of March, as Spanish royal custom dictates, to venerate a statue of Christ which is found there
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Each year a member of the Royal Family joins thousands of other pilgrims who go to show their devotion to the so-called 'Christ of Medinaceli'. This year the lot fell to the Prince and his bride-to-be, but they were able to go in style; a palace chauffeur-driven car was put at their disposal.
Once inside, first the Prince and then his fiancée, Letizia Ortiz, kissed the statue's feet and prayed for a few minutes in front of it, accompanied by one of the Franciscan monks responsible for the statue's custody.
Source: C. SER. Editing: ACPress.net
Group formed to keep Religious Education in schools
Madrid, March 24th, 2004 (ACPress.net).
A group of teachers and parents who want Religious Education to continue in schools, have formed a National Platform to fight the forces which are trying to do away with the subject. The issue has now taken a dramatic twist with the change of government. Whereas the ousted Popular Party were about to make R.E. compulsory in state schools, the ruling Socialist Party tends in the opposite direction.
The Platform believes its creation is "necessary, due to the serious nature of the attacks and the firm intention of various groups to take the subject out of state schools." A Catholic spokesman said if this happened, this would "go against the basic right of freedom of conscience, and in this case, against the vast majority of society."
Source: Agencias. Editing:
ACPress.net
No mention of Inquisition at doctored exhibition of Isabel I
Valladolid, March 25th, 2004 (ACPress.net).
An exhibition celebrating the reign of Isabel I of Castile has opened in Valladolid, thus inaugurating the commemorative acts in honour of the 500th anniversary of the said Queen's death.
The exhibition, which purports to show the magnificence of her reign, includes 150 historical documents, paintings, books, tapestries and other objects associated with the controversial monarch. It was opened by acting Prime Minister Aznar and the Leader of Castile's regional assembly, Juan Vicente Herrera. Two parallel exhibitions are due to open in two other towns connected to the Queen, Madrigal de las Altas Torres and Medina del Campo.
Fernando Checa, the exhibition's curator, said the exhibition was divided in eleven thematic sections. It ends with her will, and begins with a document in which the Queen expresses her concern for the wellbeing of her subjects, especially the Indians in the New World. It also shows the opulence of the royal court and of the leading nobility of the day, as well as art connected to the last Moorish stronghold of Granada, which was reconqured during Ferdinand and Isabel's reign. The surrender docuement can also be viewed in the exhibition.
The exhibition has clearly been slanted to show Isabel off in a good light as the beatification process reaches its climax in Rome. The more dubious aspects of her reign, such as the expulsion of the Jews or the implantation of the Inquisition, are simply ignored.
Source: El Correo. Editing: ACPress.net
Ferede denies telling evangelicals not to vote for government
Madrid, March 25th, 2004 (ACPress.net).
While debate has raged as to how the Madrid terrorist attacks affected the outcome of the general election, almost as much controversy has surrounded the pre-electoral political involvement of the Federation of Religious Organisations (FEREDE), the officially-recognised group through whom the state deals with Protestant churches and para-churdh groups. Many evangelicals have complained at what they see as its inappropriate call not to vote for the ruling Popular Party (not in so many words, but nonetheless as clear as a bell to many).
The Ferede denies telling anybody not to vote for the Popular Party which had been in power since 1996. It claims it was defending religious liberty in Spain and denouncing the lack of progress made in this area under the PP government. The Ferede criticised the lack of religious neutrality in public circles and offered ideas as how to rid Spain of religious discrimination. It then said that whichever party won the election should be informed adequately of the situation faced by evangelicals in this country. It highlighted the fact that not one political party included religious equality as an issue in its manifesto.
The Ferede added that using its information to fuel a party-political fight detracted from the aim of highlighting the deficiencies in the area of religious freedom. One thing, they said, is to inform evangelicals of the difficulties which affect churches and call on them to reflect on this issue as one more element to consider before voting, and another thing altogether is to try and influence how evangelicals vote. In a letter to A.C.Press, the Ferede complained at the way their communiqué had been reported, and pointed out that there is absolutely no link between the Ferede and A.C.Press.
Source: Ferede. Editing: ACPress.net
A.C.Press defends its stand over Ferede electioneering
Madrid, March 24th,
2004 (ACPress.net).
A.C.Press has responded to criticism by the Ferede regarding the latter's statements just prior to the recent general election. There can be no doubt that the Ferede sought to encourage evangelicals to vote for parties other than the ruling Popular Party, due to the fact that the PP had not been willing to meet any representatives of the Ferede during their eight years in office. Readers may judge for themselves in the Ferede Chairman's statement which accompanies this article.
A.C.Press points out that it made no 'press statement' about the comments made by the Ferede, but simply reported the news in its bulletins. This news included an edited version of the report made by the Chairman of the Ferede, Federico Aparisi, as to the state of religious liberty in Spain today. It also reproduced verbatim an interview conducted by the secular radio station, 'Cadena Ser', with the Ferede'e Executive Secretary, Mariano Blázquez.
As to the 'edited version' of the report, perhaps the headline caused more concern than the actual content, given that the article simply quoted the sections of the Chairman's report which A.C.Press considered most relevant. We now offer the text of that report and leave our readers to judge whether our headline was justified by the content of Sr. Aparisi's speech. Our headline ran: 'FEREDE Chairman calls on evangelicals to vote against government.' Below is the text of the speech in question, and A.C.Press remains firm in its conviction that is article reflects the truth fairly, and states here its discrepancy with the value judgments of the Ferede on this issue.
However, we do share the Ferede's commitment to the defence of religious liberty and support them in this important task. Whilst the brief of A.C.Press is to inform rather than give the views of any particular evangelical institution, it is also true that there is a variety of theological, ideological and political viewpoints represented among its regular contributors. This is intentional, as A.C.Press is committed to plurality within the recognisable limits of mainstream evangelicalism.
Yet A.C.Press sincerely regrets any offence caused to the Ferede over this issue, and apologises unreservedly for any mistakes it may have made.
Source & Editing: ACPress.net
Report by Chairman of Ferede on religious liberty: 25/2/04
"The 25 years since the signing of the Spanish Constitution and the 12 years since the signing of the Accords between the government and the Ferede have seen a significant advance in the matter of freedom and rights with regard to Spanish Evangelical Churches. However, we have also seen that laws alone do not solve people's problems, but require the willingness on the part of the authorities to see they are correctly applied.
"Little by little we have gained experience and have learnt that we have to make important changes which will affect the internal workings of the Ferede and our behaviour towards the state. (Aparisi then set out some of the problems faced by the Ferede in its dealings with the state.) As far as our conduct towards the government and the nation is concerned, it is clear that it must be completely based on claiming our rights. We have a Constitution and Accords which guarantee us certain rights which we barely enjoy. The lack of political will shown by the government in successive terms with regard to the fulfilment of the law in this area cannot be excused any longer. We cannot wait for the good will of people who think we already have enough liberty and privileges.
"The way the government has treated us is well-known and consistent. The latest instance we have is over the Theology Faculty. They gave us hope but then nothing happened, because the truth is those who have to authorise it do not do so. Yet meanwhile we have to keep quiet, and not do anything which might upset the government and so threaten the project.
"Therefore, independent of whichever government wins the forthcoming election, we must insist firmly on the implementation of the existing accords, as well let other European countries know what is really happening in Spain in the religious field. In the same way, we would have to consider seriously something we have not done hitherto. Leaving aside personal sympathies, direct our vote in the election to those who respect our rights and liberty." Federico Aparisi: Ferede Chairman
"Now if that is not trying to influence the way evangelicals vote and, at the same time, is not encouraging them to vote against the (then) government, it is difficult to see what it is.
Source: Ferede. Editing: ACPress.net
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