The Catholic Propagandist Association (ACdP) of Spain, the organizer of the legislature of Catholics and Public Life, calls on believers from all over Europe to act coherently in times of crisis and greater political commitment. The 20th edition of the Madrid legislature will be held in November. On this occasion a manifesto entitled “Quo vadis? reasoning and acting in times of uncertainty” was prepared.
The authors stressed that "the greater the failure of permanent references, the greater the political and social disorder." This applies both to “hiding everything that expresses the transcendence of man” and to building a society that lives “as if there were no God”.
In the face of the crisis, Catholics should step up their efforts to defend the foundations of religion in order not to succumb to moral relativism; take a stance that "is not an exercise of fundamentalism, but, on the contrary, means being in the vanguard of the main debate on the future of our societies."
The manifesto points to attempts to impose a "new society, social disorder" that has never been voted on or explained. The authors of the text inform against “retracting towards fierce individualism”. At the same time, they encourage open positions on many political issues based on the Church's social teaching.
They even recognise that engagement in the field of politics based on the social teaching of the Church, the "highest form of mercy", must consist of "speaking and drafting strategies" in the face of "the seriousness of the situation in attacking the foundations of our civilization at its roots."
"The function of Spanish and European Catholics in this area is essential and decisive. If we do not advance this, no 1 will do it" – we read in the manifesto.
The ACdP admits that it wants to affect various groups of Catholics, Catholic movements in political activity, pointing to an highly hard historical moment. They would unite and take a clear stand on many political and social issues, while developing an action strategy to defend Catholic values in public life.
The ACdP Association was formed in 1909 by the Jesuit Ángel Ayala in consequence to the wave of secularism which began to take over Spain, where, as in the 3rd French Republic, Catholicism was tried to eradicate from society. The association's leader was Ángel Herrera.
The association has primarily media through which it tries to keep the influence of Catholicism in society. It besides carries out social projects and set up educational institutions.
Currently, the main activity is carried out through CEU universities and schools. The Association members besides act individually in various social areas.
AccdP works include: Fundación Universitaria San Pablo CEU, which owns CEU San Pablo, CEU Cardenal Herrera Universities and University CEU Fernando III, and Fundación Abat Oliba CEU, which owns Abad Oliva CEU University.
Sources: catholicnewsagency.com, ceuuniversities.com
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