Firm condemnation of the terrorist attacks in Madrid on 11 March and solidarity with the victims, satisfaction for the entry of ten new countries into the European Union, and the sharing of the concerns expressed in the keynote address by the president of the Spanish episcopate and archbishop of Madrid, Cardinal Antonio Rouco Varela, on religious freedom, respect for human life, and the right to education, including the teaching of religion in schools: these were some of the main issues discussed by the Spanish bishops during their 82nd plenary assembly, held in Madrid from 3 to 7 May. “We trust declares the final communiqué of the assembly in the democratic State that respects the fundamental rights of the person. We express our willingness to cooperate loyally in the common good both in the dioceses and in institutional relations”. “Due to her service to the Gospel and to the good of everyone continue the bishops the Church will continue to propose her teaching on the questions that are giving rise to concern. At the same time, we invite the laity to assume their responsibility and dedicate themselves, both individually and as associations, so that society be ordered according to God’s design and the truth about man”. The assembly was also the occasion to recall the visit of John Paul II, which took place during this same period last year; on that occasion, on 3 May, the Pope canonized five new Spanish saints. The bishops also announced the setting up of a work group coordinated by the secretary of the Spanish Episcopal Conference to mark the commemoration on 8 December of the 150th anniversary of Pope Pius IX’s proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, which is particularly close to the heart of the Spanish Church. The celebrations will culminate in a pilgrimage to Saragossa in May 2005.
