[vladimir998]

I'm all for the Holy Father and his message, but I noticed this from the article author:

"What you might not know is the significance of what he said: people cheered for him when he was the least “politically correct.” "

Yeah, preaching to a crowd of devout Catholics that is no surprise at all. Isn't that the way it always is at papal visits? The problem is that devout Catholics are now a minority in Spain. Yes, the majority of the population is nominally Catholics. The number of devout Catholics in Spain, however, is relatively small compared to what it was just a few decades ago. Once the pope flies home there is a chance NOTHING will change in Spain.

[beeler]

I just got back from spending 5 weeks in Spain. Yep, you might as well write her off. There's no way Spain can turn around their moral, social, and economic decay. Sad thing is, if we continue on our current course here in the states, we'll end up in the same boat.

[livius]

When the legislation was proposed, over a million people marched in Madrid to protest.

And did you hear a thing about it in the press? I was in Spain when it was being organized and left just a few days before it - and it was a massive demonstration. But the Spanish and foreign press tried not to report it or to underreport it, and reported instead on a small gay march that was held.

There actually is quite a bit of feeling in Spain against the things that the Socialists are doing and a great deal of opposition to their attack on the Church. Even people who had been sort of lukewarm cultural Catholics are beginning to wake up, and they are very devoted to this new pope and his aggressive opposition to the anti-Christian policies of the Spanish government.

Zapatero has two more years in power. I don't know what is going to happen at the next election. However, I do know there's a lot of polarization in Spain and a lot of opposition to him and to Socialist policies. The question is whether he will succeed in stifling it. While the writer of the article may have thought the person who told her that the government was jamming the English translations was a little paranoid, believe me, the government is afraid of the Church and is doing everything possible to prevent its message from getting out. This includes refusing to permit certain Catholic radio stations and filing lawsuits for "slander" or speech crimes against Catholics who speak out.

Many judges and public officials have resigned their positions rather than have to "marry" gays, and there is a lot of feeling that the government is doing everything possible to drive practicing Catholics out of public life. So I think the Socialists are afraid, and their persecution is actually having the effect of calling a lot of Catholics back to the Church.

[Tax-chick]

That's true, unfortunately. The birthrate in countries such as Spain and Italy is the real indicator of religious faith, not the numbers who turn out to cheer the Pope.

[NYer]

the majority of the population is nominally Catholics. The number of devout Catholics in Spain, however, is relatively small compared to what it was just a few decades ago. Once the pope flies home there is a chance NOTHING will change in Spain.

Well, aren't you the prophet of Doom and Gloom! I believe freeper 'Theoden' got it right.

Nominal or devout (whatever that means) catholic, this past election has proven to be a wakeup call for all conservative Spaniards, regardless of their affiliation. A similar thing happened in Canada when they voted in an ultra liberal government. After witnessing the results, the Canadians turned things around in this year's election.

You should spend more time in prayer for the innocent victims of the Spanish Socialist Government and ask our Lord to shine His mercy on that country. Prayers are heard ... and answered.