Spain, elections ahead. A political “manifesto” for Catholics

Catholic citizens’ engagement, “is not only a right; it’s a moral responsibility”. Carlos Romero Caramelo, president of the Catholic Association of Propagandists and of the San Paolo Ceu Foundation, highlighted the deep crisis affecting his country along with positive signs and renewed hope. Political elections are drawing near – scheduled to take place December 20 – and they could represent a historic change for Spain. This entails a renewed reflection on the role of the faithful in the public arena.

A major role. For Romero, Catholics should give their contribution “in the places where they live as free and equal citizens, with equal rights and duties; they should raise their voices to say that the dignity of the human person and the culture of life are the cornerstones of democracy”.Catholics should be “the main players of a more participatory way of living democracy, in order to contribute to righteous policies”.Romero has been a major contributor at the XVII Congress on “Catholics and public life”, that closed past Sunday. The congress, organized by the Association of Propagandists and by the San Paolo Ceu Foundaton (that sent messages of condolences for the victims of Paris, conveying closeness to the French Church) focused on “Democracy-building: responsibility and the common good”.The theme triggered a political debate that is still ongoing. Also journalist Carlos Herrera reiterated the responsibility of Catholic faithful in the public domain. “We can confide in a political response for the common good, provided that change also involves the social fabric of the country”, he remarked.

“Demagogy and corruption are the great enemies of politics. On the other hand, relativism and nihilism are evils that are attacking modern societies”.

Democracy is possible. A Manifesto in seven points, circulated over the past days, was released at the end of the Congress. “We reaffirm that our democracy is possible. We are asking to strengthen it, so that freedom, mutual understanding and solidarity may unfailingly testify to the resilience of the democratic system that we have chosen.

In harmony with Church Magisterium, we propose the exercise of responsibility and the horizon of the common good as the pillars capable of supporting the peaceful and integrated coexistence of all Spanish citizens.
Responsibility before false prophets who promise artificial paradises and deceptive freedoms, and common good in the face of ruthless egoism and materialism”, states the first point. “We trust and respect the political institutions created with the 1978 Constitution, which during the course of almost forty years facilitated the longest period of Spain’s coexistence in peace and freedom”, states the second point of the manifesto, which, with clear reference to the current situation in the Iberian Country, calls upon legitimately constituted authorities to adopt “measures, in compliance with the Law, that will ensure the indissoluble unity of Spain”.This is an obvious reference to Catalonia’s secessionist claims, forcibly inserted in the electoral campaign ahead of December’s vote.

Defense of life. “Political parties – is the fourth point of the manifesto – are a fundamental tool for citizens’ political participation, but they must carry out an in-depth, urgent, process of renewal to attract talents and new leaders of civil society with the integrity to overcome divisions, thereby establishing sound and loyal cooperation with the entire political spectrum”.The fourth point contains a request to political parties to give a primary role to the “recognition of the human being as a person gifted with transcendent dignity so it may not be treated as an object whose conception, configuration and usefulness can be programmed to be eventually discarded when considered of no use, having become weak, sick or old”.
An increasingly “exemplary” role (fifth point) is demanded of political leaders and of common citizens alike.
In the next point, the organizers of the congress reaffirm the role of “politics, understood as one of the most noble activities, whose veritable goal is to work for the common good”.The seventh point underlines that citizens’ participation in public life “is a right and a moral responsibility”.