"A vote that respects the Magisterium of the Church". This is the wish expressed by the Bishops of the Ecclesiastic Province of Madrid, in the run-up to the municipal election of May 27th in Spain. "The responsible act of voting demands that the Catholics, as well as being aware of the electoral programs of the political parties, act with a conscience that is fully formed according to the principles of a rightful reason and the Magisterium of the Church", write the Bishops of Madrid, who invite to vote those people who keep into account the "defence of the fundamental rights of the person, especially the right to life at all its stages, from the start of conception, which includes the respect of the dignity of the embryo, through to natural death". The Bishops recall that "abortion, abortive contraceptive methods and euthanasia can never be justified". Another strong point is "the defence of religious freedom", as well as "the defence of the family, as formed by marriage as a stable union between a man and a woman, who are open to life". The Bishops of Andalusia too exhorted the faithful to vote for those who promote "the right to education and the promotion of a culture open to moral and religious values". As to the scandals about unauthorised buildings in the area of Marbella, the Bishops invoked "transparency in economic management" and condemned "the cases of corruption, which damage and impair cohabitation".
