EUROPE/SPAIN - Statement from the Bishops of Galicia: “the State cannot legitimately impose a moral formation of students’ consciences without the free consent of their parents”

Lugo (Agenzia Fides) – The Bishops of the Spanish region of Galicia (Santiago de Compostela, Tui-Vigo, Oruense, Mondoñedo-Ferrol, and Lugo) have issued a statement in light of the upcoming school year, on the subject entitled, “Education for Citizenship” (EpC).
Firstly, they recall the fact that “there are rights and duties rooted in the created nature of the human person that make a free and peaceful coexistence possible in our society and that are reflected in the text of our Constitution, and that should be respected.” Among these is “the right of parents to choose the kind of moral and religious formation they want for their children.” Thus, “the State cannot legitimately impose a moral formation of students’ consciences without the free consent of their parents and this is precisely what is occurring in the case of the course on EpC and the Decrees pertaining to it.” Moreover, “the comprehension and adhesion of students to fundamental values cannot be obtained through a legal imposition by the political powers.”
The Bishops also mention that the contents of the controversial school course “imposes a conception of man that contradicts the criteria befitting of Catholic schools.”
In the face of this situation, the Bishops hope that “the implementation of this course in its current format may be impeded, in order to better respect the rights of all parents; and in its case, that its content, objectives, and criteria of evaluation be adapted to the criteria of the schools.” They also recall the fact that parents can take other legitimate measures, namely, the conscientious objection to the teaching of the subject. The education administrations and schools should also “respect parents’ decisions and not interfere in their exercising their basic rights. In fact, they should facilitate the process and accompany all those who so request it of them.”
According to a report issued yesterday, June 4, by the platform group “Professionals for Ethics,” the number of people on file for conscientious objection to the government-imposed course on “Education for Citizenship” (EpC) has now reached over 35,000 in all of Spain. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 05/06/2008)