” “”Zapatero’s vacant space in Valencia powerfully questions the Church" about the "dramatic objection that such vacancy asserts: that is, that faith must be a ‘private fact’ and the organisations that take inspiration from it are just like some clubs, without even thinking of having any cultural or political relevance". This was stated by Marco Bonatti, director of the Turin-based diocesan weekly “La Voce del Popolo”, in his leading article on the last issue. “The president of the Spanish government, too, just like the people of Nazareth, does not ‘recognise’ the assembly of Valencia”, “regards that event as a ‘private fact’ and does not feel bound to take part in it”, commented Bonatti about last Sunday’s page of the Gospel. A gesture, that of the Spanish Prime Minister, that however “sets a permanent challenge to faith, the same as the one the Gospel testifies with the Nazareth affair” in which Jesus’ fellow townsmen do not recognise him. Zapatero “does not see in the Church but men and women like him; in the Eucharistic assembly, nothing but a gathering” just like any other, and he has made this "disavowal", highlights the director, "the foundation of his political strategy”, which in the West "has become a symbol" for many. An attitude that Bonatti defines as “clearly unacceptable for the Church”. While "its nature and mission are not questioned he concludes its ‘credibility’, i.e. its ability to be acknowledged as a mother and as a master, certainly is”.” “
