Bishops say providing moral guidance is not meddling in political campaigns

Madrid, Spain, Feb 4, 2008 / 17:01 pm

The spokesman for the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Juan Antonio Martinez Camino, responded to Socialists attacks on the Church this week and said a statement issued by the bishops is not a declaration of support for any particular party, but rather a series of orientations that Catholics must bear in mind as they go to the polls on March 9.

“The bishops don’t say who to vote for.  We have given a series of moral criteria so that those who want to listen have an idea (…) It is some guidance on issues such as abortion or education,” Bishop Camino told the TV network Telecinco.

“The bishops respect those who vote differently,” he continued, but that does not mean they should not speak out about social ethics.  “What is more worrisome is that some say that because the Church exercises her pastoral duty and her freedom of expression, she is acting outside of democracy,” Bishop Camino stressed in reference to attacks by Socialists who claim the bishops are supporting the Popular Party.

“This statement is based on pastoral ministry. It is not a doctrine invented yesterday,” the bishops pointed out, adding that no political party meets all of the directives given by the bishops, and therefore people have to vote for “the lesser of evils.”