In Spain, tensions between the Catholic Church and the country's current Socialist government revive tensions and memories from the bloody Spanish Civil war of 70 years ago. Today's Los Angeles Times reports that in addition to the offering of classes in Catholicism under an arrangement that dates back to post-Civil War rule of Francisco Franco, Spain's government has now introduced a new mandatory "education for citizenship" course. The Church claims that the new offering contradicts Church teachings by advocating the acceptance of homosexuals. The church's liaison to the Education Ministry, Sister Maria Rosa de la Cierva, says: "This is a frontal assault on the Catholic religion. This is an authentic scholastic war . . . and part of a clear persecution, little by little, of the Catholic faith." The Church wants students to be able to opt out of the new course, and several months ago LifeSite News reported that at least some religiously-operated schools are offering that option.
Meanwhile, in another move that heightens tensions, USA Today reports that the Vatican has beatified 498 victims of the anti-Catholic persecution that began in 1931 and became an excuse for Nationalists to launch a rebellion that ultimately placed Franco in power. This declaration of martyrdom comes just three days before Spain's Parliament is to enact a Socialist-sponsored law that will condemn Franco and call for the removal of tributes to him around the country. (See prior posting.) The ceremony today in St. Peter's Square in Rome is the largest mass beatification ceremony the Church has ever held.
