New Spanish nuncio defends right of family to choose education of children

Madrid, Spain, Jan 18, 2010 / 20:48 pm

The new Apostolic Nuncio to Spain, Archbishop Renzo Fratini, defended the importance of the family and reaffirmed that one of its main rights is to have a voice in the education of their children.

Several parents in Spain have objected to the course taught in schools called Education for the Citizenry. Those who have voiced their concerns say that the course's content advocates “a purely hedonistic and irresponsible view of sexual and emotional relations.” Others have accused the course of promoting homosexuality.

During a reception hosted by the King and Queen of Spain, the nuncio took the opportunity to speak about “a national consensus in education.”

“The fulfillment of the wishes expressed repeatedly by Your Majesty for achieving a broad national consensus in matters of education would be very helpful to the mission the family has in achieving the common good of society,” he said.

Archbishop Fratini noted that the institution of the family is an instrument for bringing about a just and peaceful society. He recalled that Pope Benedict XVI has emphasized that “the basic unit of society constitutes a permanent call to work for the unity of all...and is the best school for learning values that bring dignity to the individuals and make all people great.”