Thursday, February 14, 2008

Vatican Told to Stop Bishops ‘Meddling’ in Spain’s Election

Spain's Socialist leader is set to meet the Pope's representative today amid a storm of controversy over the Roman Catholic Church's calls to oust him from power.

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero plans to tell Monsignor Manuel Monteiro de Castro, the Papal Nuncio, that the Church must respect the elected Government and refrain from campaigning for the opposition before the March 9 general election.

“They will address the recent difficulties and clashes between the Church and the Government”, a government official said.

Spanish bishops waded into the election campaign two weeks ago when they effectively directed Spaniards to vote against the Government and in favour of the conservative Popular Party.

In a paper setting out the Church's “moral guidance” for voters, the Episcopal Conference attacked the Government's moves to legalise gay marriage, make divorce easier and remove religious education from the compulsory school curriculum....

No comments: