“Virtues and values in schools”

The standing Committee of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference (CEE) held its 232nd meeting on June 25-26. The bishops discussed the new pastoral Plan, the fifth centenary of Saint Theres of Jesus, the new Education bill. A final statement was released on Friday June 27. Centenary of the birth of Saint Theresa. The bishops worked on the preliminary draft of the new CEE Pastoral Plan for the period 2016-2020. The new pastoral Plan will draw from the apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis “Evangelii Gaudium”, centered on the proclamation of the joy of the Gospel in contemporary society. Secretary General José María Gil Tamayo presented a report on the theme, up for further reflections during the next plenary meeting. The standing Committee adopted a set of initiatives in the light of the forthcoming centenary of the birth of Saint Teresa of Jesus. The competent bishops’ Council will eventually present to the press the official program of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference regarding the event. Among its activities, the bishops adopted preparations for a European youth meeting, organized in cooperation with the CEE Department for youth pastoral care, by the diocese of Avila and by the Discalced Carmelites Order. The meeting is tabled for August 5 to 9 2015 in Avila. Spring 2014 Plenary Meeting (April 20-24) will close with a pilgrimage of the Spanish bishops to Avila. The Standing Committee has also adopted the official prayer for the centenary. Lomce and the teaching of religion. Spanish bishops conveyed their concern over the developments of the new Education Bill (LOMCE) drawn up by the central Government in conjunction with the independent Communities. In fact, the Bill fails to stipulate the rights of parents to educate their children according to their religious beliefs nor does it envisage the principles contained in Church-State agreements on Catholic teaching in schools. Religion continues to be taught in certain independent Communities, in primary schools, in 45-minutes classes. It’s not enough time, the Spanish bishops pointed out, and it does not allow for quality teaching. The Bill envisages a 50% reduction of the time provided for by the Education Law in force until now. On the other hand, independent Communities have the possibility of deciding whether to introduce religion classes in high-schools, which are granted equal power of decision. This fails to acknowledge the content of the above-mentioned agreements with the State, which stipulates that the option of religion in schools should be mandatory, thereby enabling parents and 18-year-old students to make this choice. “It should be remembered – the final statement points out – that this problem involves all religious confessions. It is not a claim of privilege on the part of the Catholic Church, rather, it is a question of ensuring parents’ constitutional right to educate children on the basis of their own beliefs. This situation of serious discrimination will also lead many teachers of religion to resign, thereby causing the disquiet of many families”. Bishops point out that “despite the difficulties encountered which appear unsolved with the new law, two students out of three freely and voluntarily decide every year to attend religion classes”. The bishops thanked the families, parents and students for their decision and invited them to continue to attend classes on the teaching of religion “which plays such an important role in integral education, foundation of virtues and values”. 13 TV-Channel. The president of 13 TV, José María Mas Millet, briefed the standing Committee on the performance of the TV station. The bishops conveyed their determination to keep the ownership of a national TV station inspired by Catholic teaching, convinced of the importance of the presence of a Christian media channel in the public arena. The prelates welcomed the efforts made in recent months to improve the palimpsest and expressed their encouragement to continue pursuing this road. They equally hope that the project may be consolidated and participate in a national tender for property license, which the bishops have been asking for over the past years. At present, CEE is the majority shareholder of 13 TV.