Righteous concerns

While a judge from the court of Valladolid, Alejandro Valentin ruled that the crucifix be removed from the walls of the city’s public school “Macias Picavea” in compliance with the request of the Cultural Secular School Association, but opposing the stand of the school’s council (cf. Sir Daily, November 24-25), an event that sparked-off much public debate, on November 24 the autumn Plenary Assembly of Spain’s Bishops Conference commenced in Spain. “There is widespread concern for the risk of a deterioration of the peaceful coexistence that our society recently achieved”, said Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, archbishop of Madrid and President of Spain’s Bishops Conference, in his prolusion. Always on the guard. Cardinal Varela recalled that in the past two centuries the history of Spain was marked by tensions that have also degenerated into fratricidal strife. But “thanks to God” he said, “the present international and national situation is different. However, it is necessary to be always on the guard to uproot behaviours, words, strategies and all that could fuel tensions that risk turning into acts of violence”. His Eminence shed light on the need “to promote a spirit of reconciliation and generous sacrifice” that characterized the “so-called years of transition to democracy”. At times, he added, “we ought to be able to forget. Not because of ignorance or cowardice, but in virtue of a will of reconciliation and forgiveness that is responsible and strong; a will based on the high ideals of peace that is nourished by justice, freedom; with forgiveness and fraternal love”. “It’s what may be defined as an authentic and sound memory purification”, the Cardinal claimed. For this, he added, “the youth ought to be helped relinquish past burdens, they must not be overloaded with old-dated questions and resentments. Rather, they should be helped fortify their yearning for wholesome friendships and for harmony”. In a period of crisis. Another reason for concern is the economic crisis. For Cardinal Rouco Varela, the “current economic crisis” is due to technical reasons, “but since economy is also made of human relations”, no economic situation can be viewed “as the result of inexorable laws that are distant from human behaviour”. In a time of crisis we must “shed light upon the moral responsibility of the moral actors, that include us all”. “Perhaps the moment has come to reflect upon the moral reasons for the crisis – the Cardinal pointed out – and ascertain whether moral relativism fomented conducts that are not directed to serving the common good and the general interest”, Or whether the craving for immediate wealth is the prevailing factor in economic life; and establish whether squandering and ostentation, affecting the private and public realm, are portrayed as “the alleged evidence of social and economic efficiency”. Theocratic politics are not being demanded. This is the time to also reflect “upon the moral requirements marking this moment of crisis, in view of a better future”, his Eminence declared. “It is necessary that morals be given special emphasis thus directing individual lives and conduct for the achievement of true personal and social good, that must not be influenced by our own likes and interests”. However, a conduct directed towards the good entails the knowledge of the good: the true good of man”. It is therefore “necessary to recognize God as the supreme good”. To advance in the achievement of high standards of living is not a bad thing, however, materialist “progress” shouldn’t be “the sole criteria of conduct and humaneness”. Cardinal Rouco Varala prevented any misunderstanding by adding: “we propose what we define as theocratic politics; we don’t claim control of the situation on the part of the Church”. “The Church”, he said, “promotes justice by helping people and individuals open up to the faith in God. In this way it provides irreplaceable help for the purification of reason that, being political, ought to be able to implement justice”. Love, claimed Cardinal Rouco Varela, cannot be regulated or imposed by state-regulation. This is all the more true in moments of crisis affecting the weaker brackets. His Eminence underlined the importance of “the family: the very first pillar of solidarity”. When the family doesn’t enjoy appropriate cultural, social and legal support, it means that the fountain-head of citizens’ ethics, contributing to righteous social order, is drying out.