13 million euros a month for Catholic Church

MADRID, October 17, 2008

The government will shell out 13 million euros a month throughout 2009 to the Catholic Church as an advance on the money that it hopes will come back via the voluntary ‘ticking of the box’ on tax returns. Taxpayers have the option to apportion 0.7% of their tax to the Catholic Church, but the problem is that fewer of them are doing so.

In the unlikely event of the Catholic Church receiving more than the 156 million euros that has been budgeted, it has to repay the State. However, recent history suggests that, once again, the long-suffering Spanish taxpayer will be asked to cough up to keep the Catholic Church afloat, as it faces yet another huge annual shortfall on its budget, and remains as far from the agreed goal of becoming self-financing as ever.

In 2006, the government and the Catholic Church agreed on a new model for financing the religious institution, which included removing direct payment from the State to the Church, and increasing the percentage of voluntary contributions on tax returns to 0.7%. The Catholic Church also has to account for how it has spent the money received via this means.

(Source: Europa Press / ACPress.net)


10,000 Spaniards have become Muslims in the last five years

MADRID, September 20, 2008

Islam, while not exactly on the march, is growing in Spain, with 10,000 Spaniards having converted to that religion in the last five years. Some Muslim organisations claim that there are now 1,200,000 followers in Spain, with 11 mosques and a further 480 Islamic centres or prayer rooms.

Although no accurate figures exist, Muslim leaders say there are around 25,000 Muslim Spaniards, 10,000 of whom have converted in the last five years, mainly in Andalusia and Catalonia. The Islamic Community in Seville says among the converts are those who were practising Catholics, and some who were non-practising. Some have changed their names, although they have not done so officially, partly because of the legal difficulties still associated with ´apostasy´ regarding those who leave the Catholic Church.

Ramadan is becoming better known, and more widely accepted, in Spain with some firms making allowances for their Muslim employees. Riay Tatary, Chairman of the Union of Islamic Communities says this is part of a greater understanding of Islamic culture and religion in Spanish society generally.

(Source: EL periódico / ACPress.net)


Government wants to push through easier abortion law

MADRID, September 20, 2008

Experts in obstetrics, gynaecology and law have been brought together onto a panel of experts to study a possible change in the abortion law, which has been presented by Equality Minister, Bibiana Aído. However, there are no pro-life representatives on the committee, nor any from accredited abortion clinics.

The Socialist government is determined to change the law, having suggested such a change in 1994 and 2004. However, opponents say this will show a complete disregard for the rights of the unborn child, which the Constitutional Court upheld in 1985. Supporters of the change hope that the Court would come to a different verdict if asked now, almost 25 years later. In Spain, abortion is permitted in just three cases: rape (up to 12 weeks), foetal deformity (up to 22 weeks), and if the mother´s physical or psychological health is seriously threatened (at any stage in the pregnancy).

The change being proposed would allow a woman to terminate her pregnancy without having to give a reason, up to an agreed time in the pregnancy. Critics argue that this would be unconstitutional, as in effect the mother´s rights would trump those of the unborn child.

(Source: El País / ACPress.net)

Moving memorial service held for Rubén Santana

MADRID, September 13, 2008

Hundreds of people attended a memorial service for Rubén Santana, the only known Evangelical victim of last month´s plane crash at Madrid Airport, at General Lacy Baptist Church in the Spanish capital. They included Santana´s widow, Mari Carmen Hernández, one of their daughters, Erika, and the Justice Minister, Mariano Fernández Bermejo. This was a first at an Evangelical service, and no doubt had much to do with the campaign waged principally by the Spanish Evangelical Alliance. The Alliance led those calling for an end to the Catholic monopoly of official funerals, given that not all the victims of the plane crash were Catholics. In this they were supported by Mari Carmen Hernández, widow of Rubén Santana. It also called on the authorities to support the Evangelical funeral as much as the Catholic one, so there was keen anticipation as to what the response of the authorities would be. Fernández Bermejo was joined by Carlos Andoín, advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega.

Also present were Council representatives from Tres Cantos, where Santana lived. Mention was made in the service of letters of condolence, which also served as apologies of absence, from the Palace and the Prime Minister´s office.

The service opened with a piano and violin duet, then Daniel Rodríguez, Chairman of the Federation of Evangelical Organisations, explained that the Protestant faith does not include anything done in favour of the departed, as eternal life with God is a gift from Jesus given in this life to those who trust in him, as Rubén Santana had. There were readings from John´s Gospel, and several hymns were sung. Singer-songwriter Marcos Vidal also sang one of his own compositions, ´Face to face´.

Rubén´s pastor from Tres Cantos Baptist Church gave a brief biographical sketch of Rubén´s life, and then Juan Manuel Quero, another Baptist pastor in Madrid, preached a message entitled ´From Madrid to heaven´. He announced Jesus as the life and the way to eternity, with the comfort that God gives when we face so many unanswered questions. Without doubt, the tragic loss of Quero´s own son just a few months ago, made him especially sensitive to the situation now facing the family of Rubén Santana.

Finally, Mari Carmen took to the platform to address the congregation. She expressed both her loss and her hope: “I go to bed every night and I realise Rubén is no longer there in our bed”, but added that she has the peace of knowing where he is, and that they will be re-united one day. She also spoke of the awful times she has spent with relatives of other victims who do not have the peace or trust in God that she has, some of whom lost several relatives together. “Pray for them, please, don´t forget them. ” The service ended with a prayer by some of Rubén´s family, a prayer which - at the express request of Mari Carmen - was for all those affected by the Barajas tragedy.

(Source: Protestantedigital.com)

There´s more to water than meets the eye

ZARAGOZA, September 13, 2008

The ´Living Waters´ Pavilion at the Expo exhibition in Zaragoza has celebrated its special day of honour. At a press conference, the organisers spoke of the richness and diversity of the 900 million Protestants around the world, highlighting the spiritual, cultural and humanitarian qualities of water.

The pavilion, which represents the Evangelical community at the exhibition, offers three visions of water. The first looks at Evangelical aid projects around the world where Christians are bringing safe drinking water to needy communities. Secondly, water is seen as a cultural and artistic expression, and finally, the spiritual vision of living water and its relationship to faith. Jesus offered this living water to all who put their trust in him, the source of this water, which quenches the thirst of all who come to him.

The ´Living Waters´ stand represents worldwide Protestantism, and offers a message of hope to a physically and spiritually thirsty world. The stand has required about 60 volunteers each day, who have come from all over Spain, and from overseas, to represent their community. In all, about 250,000 people have visited the pavilion and received literature, and volunteers have also given away about 25,000 films. 170,000 people have watched the audiovisual presentation offered on the stand, which explains the spiritual vision Evangelicals have of ´living water´.

On August 30th, the Day of the Evangelical Pavilion, there were some special events involving different Evangelical denominations, and local politicians. In the evening, though not directly related to the pavilion, the Dominican Christian singer, Juan Luis Guerra, gave a concert.

(Source: ACPress.net)