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Non-Catholics
complain at Roman domination of state funeral
Madrid, April 9th, 2004 (ACPress.net).
Spain is different, so
the saying used to go. Well, it has proved it once more in the
matter of the state funeral for the victims of the Madrid train
bombings. While equivalent services in other countries all had
an ecumenical flavour, the Spanish service was monopolised by
the Roman Catholic Church, despite the fact that several of
the victims were of different faiths, including evangelicalism.
Non-Catholic groups have complained.
The day before the funeral, the main non-Catholic religious
groups with whom the Spanish government has official accords
sent a statement to the acting government and to all the main
political parties, calling for the event not to be solely Roman
Catholic. The statement, signed by representatives of Evangelicals,
Adventists, Jews and Muslims, said the signees were saddened
that the funeral took place in a Catholic building - Almudena
Cathedral in Madrid - rather than a civic location, and that
the ceremony was merely a Catholic requiem Mass, rather than
a civil ceremony including the participation of the various
religious groups implicated in the attacks (given that there
were victims from different faiths), or an inter-confessional
service.
The statement called on the authorities to implement Article
16 of the Constitution in state functions of this nature, which
guarantees that the state is non-confessional and cooperates
with all the recognised religious groups according to signed
agreements. In Spain, this means Evangelicals, Jews, Muslims
and Catholics. Yet when it came to the funeral, led by around
30 Catholic bishops, there was not even a mention of the non-Catholic
victims. Mariano Blázquez, Ferede Executive Secretary, said
it was "lamentable that a non-confessional government organises
a Catholic state funeral."
In a separate letter, Máximo Alvarez, a pastor in Seville and
Vice-Chairman of the Evangelical Council of Andalusia, said
it was high time the King recognised the religious plurality
of modern-day Spain, and that the government stopped sidelining
those with minority religious views. Alvarez said evangelicals
(and others) paid their taxes the same as anyone and are not
any less Spanish simply because they hold different views on
their relationship with God.
Source & Editing: ACPress.net
Sections
of secular Press also condemn funeral arrangements
Madrid, April 9th, 2004 (ACPress.net).
The difference was there
for all to see. Inter-faith services in New York after the attack
on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon, an ecumenical memorial
service in Austria following the funicular railway disaster
in 2001, even a joint Muslim-Catholic act in Morocco after the
Casablanca bombs. But in Madrid, no, just the solemn intonation
of Roman Catholic archbishops, bishops...
The fact is that the Spanish government's interpretation of
the non-confessional Constitution continues to be Catholic.
Never mind the fact that there were evangelical, Muslim and
Orthodox victims among the Madrid dead and injured, not to mention
those of no faith at all. Anglican and Orthodox representatives
were invited to the service, but not to participate in any way
other than by their attendance.
In a statement published in full by the leading Spanish newspaper
'El Pais', the General Secretary of the Spanish Evangelical
Alliance, Jaume Llenas, said "I regret that a ceremony
which should centre on remembering those who have suffered or
died has become an insensitive gesture towards the suffering
of many of them. This would never have happened in Europe, in
which in theory we are integrated, that after a massive tragedy
a confessional service would be held to remember victims of
all beliefs, including agnostics and atheists. This is a clear
monopoly and imposition by the Spanish Catholic Church on those
of other confessions and forms of belief."
The Alliance's sentiments were echoed by those expressed in
the editorial in 'El Pais', while papers in the so-called 'Z
group' went further still. Referring to the fact that more than
40 of those killed were not Spanish citizens, an editorial article
said "It mattered little what is obvious, that part of
the 190 killed were not Catholics, but Rumanian and Bulgarian
Orthodox, Moroccan Muslims or, why not, Spanish and Latin American
Protestants, Jews or unbelievers. A lack of tact which could
have been avoided in the state funeral. (The government) has
forgotten that in Spain there is no longer an official religion."
Sources: El País, El Mundo,
Grupo Z Editing: ACPress.net
Closest
registered asteroid just misses Earth
Madrid, April 9th, 2004 (ACPress.net).
Phew, that was close!
The rather unimaginatively-named asteroid, '2000 FH', whizzed
past the Earth only missing it by a mere 43,000 km which in
space terms is pretty much next door.
Climate satellites orbit at around 36,000 km from the Earth,
to put things into perspective. Scientists have been quick to
play down any sense of danger, saying that even had the asteroid
altered course and veered towards Earth, it would have broken
up upon entering the planet's atmosphere. Paul Chodas, from
NASA's Programme of Objects Close to Earth, said it was never
going to hit.
In fact, many such objects pass us by in similar circumstances.
Asteroids of similar size zip past at about the same distance
on average once every two years, but what makes this one special
is that it is the first time such an object has been detected
in its passage past the Earth.
Source: C. SER, Editing: ACPress.net
Socialists
face Catholic oppostion on policy issues
Madrid, April 9th, 2004 (ACPress.net).
The battle lines are
being drawn for the forthcoming Socialist government's term
in office. While the Protestant 'Federation of Evangelical Organisations'
(FEREDE) encouraged its members not to vote for the outgoing
centre-right Popular Party, Catholic bishops are preparing to
fight the Socialist Party on issues such as the legalisation
of abortion, homosexual marriage, R.E. in state schools, and
embryonic research.
The Catholic Primate of Spain, Cardinal Rouco, said he did not
understand the rationale behind Socialist policies on these
issues. However, he said his church was not a political force
and that they did not plan to take action to try and stop the
government. He did say, though, that he had had a lengthy and
frank telephone conversation with the soon-to-be Prime Minister,
José Luis Zapatero. The times are uncertain for Catholics, as
the Socialists have already promised to halt the proposed changes
to make R.E. compulsory in state schools, a policy agreed by
the previous government. And they will clash head-on over the
abortion issue, which the Socialists are set to make legal up
to 14 weeks.
Nevertheless, Rouco was in bullish mood when analysing the development
of the relationship between the state and the Catholic Church
since the death of Franco. Well he might be, as in many respects
it is as if Spain had never stopped having Catholicism as its
official state religion. A shadow might soon fall over this
cosy arrangement however, if the Socialists are brave enough
to tackle the scandalous maintenance of the vast Catholic apparatus
out of state funds. Rouco was not optimistic that the Catholic
faithful would cough up offerings willingly, but suggested that
other means might be found.
Finally, he said that while they would not enter the political
arena, they would say what they believed on issues like abortion,
and hope to state their convictions clearly. He offered counsel
to young women considering having an abortion to approach the
Church before taking the awful step of terminating their pregnancy.
Source: El País. Editing:
ACPress.net
Another
evangelical victim of the Madrid bombings
Madrid, April 9th, 2004 (ACPress.net).
Anca Valeria Bodea, a
26-year-old Rumanian lady lived in Spain for just 2 months before
the Madrid bombings cut short her life. She arrived in Spain
from her home town of Oradea in January, and found work with
a firm which assembles industrial equipment. She was an evangelical
Christian.
Initially she found work in San Sebastián, far from the terrorist
targets in Madrid, and according to a friend relaxed for the
first time in her life. Previously in Rumania, she had worked
for three years without having any holiday. Recently she moved
near to the Spanish capital, taking a job there looking after
children. She stayed with three brothers in Guadalajara and
apparently was planning to marry one of them, Eugene, in the
not-too-distant future. Another of the brothers, Daniel, says:
"Anca said she was very lucky because she had come from
no holidays in Rumania to a holiday in the most beautiful city
in Spain."
It was in San Sebastián that her relationship with Eugene blossomed
and she had confessed to a friend that she was looking at wedding
dresses. "Then, one day", says Daniel, "she suddenly
stopped and said she felt something bad was going to happen
to her." By now she was living in Guadalajara, whilst Eugene
remained in San Sebastián. He tried to reassure her, but on
March 11th, at 6.53 am, she sent him what was to be her last
message. "She told him she was going to catch the train
and that she wanted to see him", reports Daniel.
Anca leaves behind her parents and a sister in Oradea. More
than a thousand people attended her funeral there on March 22nd.
It was her birthday.
Source: El País. Editing:
ACPress.net
A passion
for souls as well as the film
Madrid, April 10th, 2004 (ACPress.net).
Several evangelical organisations
have produced material to be used in conjunction with the film
'The Passion of the Christ', which has recently had its première
in Spain.
'Christian Witness to Every Home' have brought out a leaflet
entitled 'It was all for you', which talks about the sacrifice
of the Lord Jesus Christ, a subject which is going to dominate
many conversations for some months to come. The leaflet is illustrated
with pictures by Matthias Grünewald, considered to be one of
the sources which influenced Mel Gibson in the production of
his film. The tract is about the size of a CD and opens in the
shape of a cross. Although its focus is especially relevant
at Easter, the eternal nature of its contents make it useful
all year round.
The Spanish Bible Society has produced a special edition of
Matthew's Gospel with a selection of scenes from the film spread
through the book. Campus Crusade are also offering evangelistic
material to be given to people who have seen the film, churches
are distributing leaflets to people as they leave cinemas, and
others are hoping to take their non-Christian friends to see
it and then discuss it with them afterwards. The aim is that
many Christians and churches may use the film as a tool to present
the Gospel to their friends and neighbours, and that many hearts
may be touched by its message.
Sources: TCCH, SBE/Bibliopress.
Editing: ACPress.net
Boom time for Christian
choirs
Barcelona, April 10th, 2004
(ACPress.net).
According to an estimate
made by Dan Hollingsworth, Director of an evangelical orchestra
in Spain, evangelical choirs gave more than 30 concerts last
autumn to audiences totalling nearly 10,000 people.
Such a figure suggests boom time for Christian choirs in Spain,
a growth ministry covering different styles of music including
classical and negro spirituals. Usually such concerts fit into
what is called 'pre-evangelism', events to which it is relatively
easy to invite non-Christian friends.
Source: Art&cel. Editing:
ACPress.net
Robot joins Easter procession
Málaga, April 10th, 2004 (ACPress.net).
A team of engineers have
made an electronically-operated arm for a statue of Christ so
that it can 'bless' (sic ) the faithful without hitches. Previously
it was raised and lowered hydraulically.
The faithful in Málaga can breathe more easily this year, as
modern technology has been brought to bear on the problem of
'failed blessings'. As the procession of 'The Christ of Hope'
wends its way past, the statue's arm - which is supposed to
go up and down and thus dispense blessings on the watching crowds
- will be operated electronically, for the first time.
Those responsible for the invention had previously worked on
robotic arms for operating theatres in hospitals, and the Brotherhood
responsible for the procession in question got in touch with
the team of engineers to see if they could provide a more efficient
mechanism than the hydraulic system they have used up until
now. A 12-volt battery and a push-button system is the answer,
and now other brotherhoods are showing interest in the prototype,
which was due to be used in the town of Almogía this Easter.
Source: Agencias. Editing:
ACPress.net
Suicide attacks reach Europe as 'holy war' escalates
Madrid, April 10th, 2004 (ACPress.net).
The detonation of a bomb
by terrorists in the Madrid suburb of Leganés last week after
their flat had been surrounded by police brings a new element
of terrorism to Europe: suicide bombings.
The most recent reports suggest that as many as six terrorists
may have blown themselves up as police burst into the flat where
they were apparently preparing more attacks. It is the latest
confrontation between the security forces and Al-Qaeda sleeper
cells in Europe. One policeman died in the explosion and at
least 12 others were injured, which was set off deliberately
by the terrorists who recited verses of the Koran as they did
so.
Spain is the first European country where so-called jihad
fighters have taken their own lives with their explosives. Nizar
Trabelsi, a Tunisian terrorist imprisoned last year in Brussels,
planned to do so inside the American Embassy in Paris, but was
caught in time. In other attempted terrorist attacks in Germany
and Italy, the terrorists have never sought to take their own
lives. However, three terrorists blew themselves up in the Casablanca
bombings last May, in which 45 people died, several of whom
were Spanish.
This latest explosion in Madrid shows that these Islamic terrorists
are not just fanatics willing to kill others, but are also prepared
to die killing others, rather than be captured. The security
forces are concerned that others of similar mind will see those
killed in Leganés as 'martyrs' and seek to emulate their deeds.
Source: El País. Editing:
ACPress.net
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