In Spain, yesterday, the National Catholic Confederation of Heads of Families (CONCAPA) criticized the proposal by the education administrations of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands to shift religion teaching out of school time. CONCAPA stated that this initiative has something to do with a "strong secularist campaign promoted by some lobbies close to the government". "It is not clear why they want to eliminate a subject which the majority of Spanish parents want, while they want to impose other subjects such as Citizenship Education, which on the other hand is supported by the minority, exactly in the name of democracy", stated CONCAPA. "The government went on the Confederation must respect the agreements signed with the Holy See, in which it was clearly stated that religion should be taught at education centres". Religion teaching was established in the agreements between the Holy See and the Spanish State in 1979. Religion is a subject which must be compulsorily provided by education centres, while there is free choice by parents. In the year 2006, about 70% of parents decided to let children follow religion teaching, in accordance with the data of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference.
