Spain, Portugal

Spain/1: religion teaching in schools “Take religion classes”: the new campaign of the Bishops’ Commission for education and catechesis of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference invited parents and pupils to register in religion classes in schools. The theme of the campaign is “Jesus Christ, source and foundation of virtues and values”. The bishops of the Commission for Education and Catechesis presented figures on the number of students that opted for the teaching of Catholic religion in secondary schools sent by the same Commission by the dioceses, collected in schools. Accordingly, 61 dioceses on 69 show that out of 5 385.601 students, 3 501.555 attend religion classes, representing 65%, a 1.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Such decrease in the number of students opting for the teaching of Catholic religion is due, inter alia, to difficulties and obstacles of a social, legislative and administrative nature. Looking at the future, the bishops pointed out, “It should be said that the organic law for quality education (LOMCE) improves the situation of religion in schools in elementary and secondary schools”. Moreover, “the part of the law that regards high-schools does not ensure compulsory offer on the part of the centres nor the freedom of choice on the part of the parents and students who wish to attend religion classes. In fact, the result is bound to be worse than the situation prior to the organic law for the improvement of quality education”. The teaching of Catholic religion is ensured only if it is compared with the rest of fundamental disciplines and if the regulation does not prompt discrimination within the school environment. The Commission reminded parents and students that religion classes promote the development of personal responsibility along with other civic virtues for the common good. Spain/2: the Church near the “people at sea” “Less than a month has passed and two tragedies in the sea have hit our hears. Three sailors have died and others are missing owing to a collision between two vessels in è Ría de Vigo, that caused the sinking of the fishing vessel ‘Mar de Marín’, and the fire of the fishing vessel ‘L’Escandall’ in Barcelona”, Msgr. Luis Quinteiro Fiuza, bishop of Tui-Vigo, bishop promoter of the Apostolate of Sea in Spain. “We entrust to the Lord, to his infinite mercy the life of these sons and daughters who paid with their lives the difficult activity in the noble profession of people at sea, while rendering thanks to God for those who were saved”, the prelate said, for whom “more suffering in these times of crisis has overshadowed our lives”. We raise our eyes to the Crucifix, as we have done in many difficult times in our lives. We ask the Lord to grant eternal salvation to those who died and the full healing of the wounded. We also pray that the comfort and strength of the Crucifix may support all the families of the deceased to recover from their immense pain, that now becomes ours”. The bishops called to sympathize with the families involved in the tragedy: “We appeal to the generous hearts of all the social bodies involved. The vulnerability of people at sea should further solicit the attention of Church and of society as a whole to ensure the protection of their rights”. Portugal: a Museum to the shepherd children in Fatima Past April 4 the Francisco e Jacinta Marto Foundation inaugurated a new museum complex in Fatima called “Casa das Candeias”, to remember the life and spirituality of the two blessed shepherd children. In fact, the showcasing of personal belongings, inspiring artistic depictions will provide visitors “with a reading of their biographic journey, the epitome of Fatima’s message reflected in their short lives as well as the gift they represent for the universal Church”, states the document for the presentation of the Marian apparitions: “The iconographic symbolism of space invite the pilgrims to undertake an internal journey with the young shepherds that will becomes, as testified with the beatification of Francisco and Jacinta, a journey of sanctity”. The three children, known as the Shepherd Children of Fatima (Sister Lúcia and Blessed Francisco and Jacinta), experienced six apparitions of the Virgin Mary in n Cova da Iria and in areas nearby, once a month, between May and October 1917. The apparitions are fully recognized by the Catholic Church. Jacinta and Francisco respectively died at 9 and 10 years of age. They were beatified by Pope John Paul II in the year 2000. The beatification process of Lúcia Santos, the third child shepherd child witness of the Apparition, was opened by Cardinal José Saraiva Martins in 2008 and is currently under way.