Spanish cardinal urges laity to keep identity amid secular pressures

Published: 2004-11-18

BARCELONA, Spain (CNS) -- Against a background of widespread church opposition to the social policy of the Spanish Socialist government, Cardinal Antonio Rouco Varela of Madrid told 2,000 delegates at a three-day Conference for Lay Ministry that "the church finds itself in an ominous period of history." "We must not be afraid to witness in spite of the lack of understanding and persecution that we will encounter," Cardinal Rouco told the conference Nov. 14 in Madrid. Since Spain's Socialist Party won power in March, relations between the government and the bishops have deteriorated rapidly over plans to legalize gay marriage, relax abortion and divorce laws, and lower the status of Catholic education in state schools. "Your responsibility is to be the instruments that sanctify everyday realities: from marriage and family, to schooling, public opinion, the economy, work and politics," Cardinal Rouco told the conference in his closing address.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .