Two thousand pray for Spain

MADRID, March 2008

Over two thousand evangelicals met outside Santiago Bernabeu football stadium, the home of Real Madrid, earlier this month, to pray for Spain. The event, organised as part of a campaign called ´Spain prays for Spain´, concentrated on praying for peace, and for the family.

The event lasted from half-past-four in the afternoon till seven in the evening, under a banner which read ´Spain, we are praying for you. Organised by Evangelical Churches.´ A statement issued by the organisers said: “The aim of this meeting is basically to bless our country and ask God for our land, with all the issues facing it. Evangelical Churches, faithful to the New Testament mandate that ´requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness´ (1 Tim 2:1-2), are used to praying for our country and its leaders, in our regular services. Sometimes we believe it´s good that the united prayer of the Church be strengthened and made visible, as a witness.”

The prayer event was not organised nor promoted by any official Protestant institution, although representatives of several were on the platform or leading the prayers from time to time. The atmosphere was festive, with Spanish and regional flags much in evidence, as was a banner which read ´Spain - listen to God´, and another saying ´Lord, Spain needs you.´ The prayers included thanks to God for all the good things Spain, and the people who live in it, enjoy. Prayers were said for the Church - its needs and challenges. Finally, there was a call that God´s forgiveness, mercy and blessing would reach every corner of Spain, and be seen in moral and spiritual change that brings blessing and peace to the homes and the hearts of every inhabitant.

It was this last point which had provoked some opposition to the event, as it led them to interpret the event as a call not to vote for the Socialist Party. The organisers denied this, saying “it is not a political event, but prayer for the good of the country.” Whatever anyone might say, from a Christian perspective, Spain certainly needs much moral and spiritual change. The organisers estimate that nearly 3,000 people were present, which is likely given that the police estimate was between 1,000 and 1,500. The event was broadcast live on a Christian TV network.

(Source: EFE, eMision / ProtestanteDigital)


Evangelical leader says new law is unconstitutional

MADRID, March 2008

Mariano Blázquez, Executive Secretary of the FEREDE (Federation of Evangelical Organisations), says although there is a need to regulate religious organisations and places of worship, the new law in Catalonia is not in line with the Spanish Constitution on the matter of religious freedom.

The Catalan Department of Religious Affairs has presented a Bill to regulate places of worship in the region which has caused great concern to many evangelicals, who wonder if the new law (when passed) will curtail their freedom to meet. The Bill says all places of worship must be authorised to continue in their present use, which will require a formal application for a licence. However, Blázquez says it will make it very difficult for new churches to gain permission to operate due to the way the law might be applied by local authorities.

Blázquez says: “We are concerned that no consensus (with religious groups) has been sought on this Bill and it does not fit completely with the basic right of religious freedom”, in a reference to the right to worship freely and without hindrance. The Bill is part of a move to decentralise certain powers to local Councils, but Blázquez warns of the consequences of handing over the power to grant licences (or not) for places of worship to the whim of a group of local politicians. “The right of religious freedom and the right to meet for religious purposes cannot be compared with the right of opening a bar or a shop.” The reason it is different is because it is a right which is constitutionally guaranteed, and the Bill fails to address this distinction.
Neither does the Bill state explicitly what requirements will be needed for a licence to be granted, nor what the limits of the new legislation will be. If all these details are left to the ´regulations´, it means giving local Councils considerable power over what is supposed to be a universal right of all citizens. Meanwhile, the Evangelical Council of Catalonia has pointed out that several Evangelical Churches have already experienced great difficulties with their local Councils over the use of buildings as places of worship, hence the need to consider any new legislation on this issue with great care, and only after taking the views of all religious communities into account.

(Source: eMision.net,ACPress.net/ Protestantedigital.com)