The Spanish Bishops, gathered in the Permanent Bishops Committee in Madrid from 19th to 21st June, have taken position again on the Organic Act on Education (loe), because "the seriousness of the situation does not allow for passive or accommodating positions". As early as 28th February, the Bishops had taken position on the matter, explaining that "this new legislation does not regulate the teaching of religion so that everyone’s rights are protected" and the parents’ rights to the education of their children are not breached "as much in the determination of the moral education" of their children "as in the free choice of the educational centres" where to educate them. Since the Royal Decree of June 1st was published on June 9th, the Bishops thought they had to take position again at the end of the meeting of the Bishops Committee on the new employment rules of the teachers of religion and on the new subject, "Education to citizenship". First and foremost, the Bishops do not agree on this Decree, that "compares the professional conditions of the teachers of religion in the state schools to the general contracts that are regulated by the Labour Charter, without satisfactorily appreciating the distinctive character of their job", which takes inspiration from the mission in which they are committed to teaching the Catholic religion and morality. (continued)
