Spanish bishops urge voters to back those upholding Christian values

Published: 2008-02-04

MADRID, Spain (CNS) -- Spain's Catholic bishops have urged voters in March elections to back candidates who uphold Christian values and not to vote for candidates who favor dialogue with militant separatists. "We do not intend that those in government should submit to the criteria of Catholic morality, but to the common denominator provided by a morality based on right reason and each nation's historic experience," the permanent council of the Spanish bishops' conference said in a statement. "Although it is true that Catholics can support and participate in various parties, not all programs are compatible with the faith and obligations of Christian life or with the aims and values Christians should promote in public life." Auxiliary Bishop Antonio Martinez Camino of Madrid, council spokesman, presented the bishops' statement Jan. 31 at a Madrid press conference. The bishops said church leaders hoped to encourage citizens to "use their votes responsibly," by not confusing "a nonconfessional, secular state with a breaking of moral bonds and a release from objective moral duties."

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